The pathways for small holder apiculture production in Swaziland

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the pathways that are essential for sustainable apiculture production by small holder farmers in Swaziland. Being a descriptive study, scheduled questionnaire interviews administered by the authors were used for data collection where a total population of 28 small holder apiculture farmers from the Hhohho, Shiselweni and Lubombo regions were interviewed. The farmers were selected purposively depending on whether they were actively involved in bee-keeping or not. Data was analysed by SPSS where quantitative data was treated into percentages, while qualitative data was summarised and described. The results indicated that a majority (64.3 %) of the farmers were literate females who got their support for apiculture activities from children (70.8%) and adults (29.2%) who resided in the same household. The apiculture production pathways were identified as training (pre-farming and during farming), production materials and equipment, apiary environmental requirements and business skills. The qualitative results were summarised into theft of bee-hives, absconding of bees, business management problems and financial constraints.

UNISWA Jnl of Agric Vol 10 2001: pp 51-61