Beekeeping practices in four districts of tigray region, northern Ethiopia

Abstract

A survey was carried out on beekeeping practices in four districts (Degua-Timben, Hawzen, Saesiea- Tsaeda-Emba and Atsib-Wemberta) of Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia. Data were obtained from 164 beekeepers by using pre-tested, structured questionnaire on demographic characteristics and honey production practices. Beekeeping was dominated by male (91.46%). Higher proportion (56.71%) of the respondents used traditional hive, while 22.56% worked with modern hive only and 20.73% were practicing both. The overall average number of traditional and modern hives per respondent in the study area was 7.45 and 3.20, respectively. Majority (76.22%) of the respondents practiced supplementary feeding of bee colonies, with 72.56% who fed bees in March to May. Annual honey production per traditional hive was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Saesiea-Tsaeda-Emba (11.42±1.77 kg), Atsib- Wemberta (10.55±0.84 kg) and Hawzen (10.15±1.36 kg) than what was realized in Degua-Timben (7.88±1.40 kg), while honey production per modern hive was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Atsib- Wemberta (35.33±2.20 kg) and Hawzen (33.05±1.94 kg) districts than what was realized in Saesiea- Tsaeda-Emba (23.22±1.81 kg). The overall production of honey per hive (modern and traditional) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Atsib-Wemberta (23.69±2.22 kg) and Hawzen (22.34±2.89 kg) districts than Saesiea-Tsaeda-Emba (14.56±2.12 kg).

Key words: Beekeeping; Hive; Honey production; Tigray