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Beekeeping Challenges and Opportunities

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Journal of Veterinary Science & Bekuma, J Vet Sci Technol 2018, 9:6
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DOI: 10.4172/2157-7579.1000569
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ISSN: 2157-7579

Research Article Open Access

Study on Challenges and Opportunities of Beekeeping in Gimbi District,

West Wollega Zone, Ethiopia
Amanuel Bekuma*
College of Agriculture and Forestry, Mettu University, Bedele, Ethiopia
*Corresponding author: Amanuel Bekuma, College of Agriculture and Forestry, Mettu University, Bedele, Ethiopia, Tel: +251911763669; E-mail:
[email protected]
Received date: November 12, 2018; Accepted date: November 22, 2018; Published date: November 28, 2018
Copyright: © 2018 Bekuma A. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use,
distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Abstract

The study was carried out in Gimbi district, west Wollega zone, Ethiopia to assess beekeeping constraints and
exploit the existing opportunities for beekeeping. The study used interview, survey and field observation as method
of looking for answers for research questions. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to
select study sites and household respondents. 156 total household respondents were interviewed using semi-
structured questionnaires during the study period and SPSS software version 23 was used to analyze the gathered
data. 5.42 ± 0.18, 10.23 ± 0.36 and 15.69 ± 0.59 kg were the average honey yield annually from traditional,
intermediate and improved hive, respectively. Quality of honey (60.9%), distance from the market place (18.59%)
and consumer’s preference (12.82%) were among the most factors governing the price of honey. Even though
availability of bee forage and water, presence of immense number of bee density, high demand for local honey from
honey traders and consumers and government attention to this sub-sector were encountered as opportunities for
beekeeping development, improper application of agro-chemical inputs (1st), high cost of modern hive and
equipment (2nd), diseases (3rd) and pests and predators (4th) were the challenges. Characterization of honeybees of
the area, diseases and pest and predators needs further study.

Keywords: Beekeepers; Challenges; Gimbi district; Opportunities solution against beekeeping challenges and exploit the existing
opportunities for beekeeping development in the study area.
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Due to its diversified natural resources that are conducive for
apiculture, Ethiopia stands 10th on the world and 1st in Africa by
honey production [1]. Description of study area

Unlike many other commodities such as crop and livestock, honey The study was conducted in Gimbi district, west Wollega zone,
products generate multiple market opportunities, and are also Ethiopia which is located at 441 km from Addis Ababa to the west. The
nutritious foods. In addition, the production process is not in district is located 9°10° to 9°17° North latitude and 35°44° to 36°09°
competition with any other form of agriculture and it can be integrated East longitudes and elevated from 1200 m to 2222 m a.s.l. It receives
positively [2]. The same to that, unlike other agricultural practices, 1000 mm to 1800 mm and 10°C to 30°C average annual rain falls and
beekeeping does not disturb the ecological balance of an area; rather, it temperature respectively. The area coverage of the district is 112969
assists in plant reproduction through pollinating them. Likewise, since hectare and has a total population of 89243. Agro-ecologically, the
products obtained from bees are high value products, the incomes district is classified into 70% high land, 10% mid highland and 20%
generated through selling of honey and beeswax is very significant for lowland. Mixed agricultural activity is the main farming system in the
purchase of grains for family consumption. Although varieties of study area. The most widely cultivated crops in the study area include
favorable condition existed for beekeeping development in Ethiopia, coffee, maize, teff, barley, oil seeds (niger seed, sesame, sunflower),
the role of apiculture sub-sector to economic development of the pulses (beans, peas, chickpeas) [3]. Like other different parts of the
country has never been proportionate with the country’s potential for country, the study area is enriched with immense types of livestock:
honey production. This due to the fact that major challenges like 111697 cattle, 47039 sheep, 9458 goats, and 9926 donkey, 123 mule,
inadequate knowledge in line with beekeeping, low number of trained and 92347 poultry and 14472 bee colonies [3].
manpower, poor availability of modern bee equipment, honey bee
diseases and predators and inadequate research works to support Sampling technique and sample size
development programs are hampering factors. Prior to carrying out the study, pre-requisite information was
Like other parts of the country, Gimbi district has countless gathered from Gimbi district livestock and fishery resource
opportunities for apiculture development such as diversified types of development office head and bee expert to select study kebeles and
natural vegetation and cultivated crops, small and big water bodies and household respondents. Having this, taking the highest extent of
high demand for honey and beeswax. But little information is available beekeeping potential as criterion, the study was carried out in three
concerning beekeeping challenges and opportunities in the study area. randomly selected kebeles of the distinct (Enango Dembali, Lelisa
This work, therefore, had attempted to amplify and suggest possible Yesus and Lalo Choli) and beekeepers reside in this kebeles

J Vet Sci Technol, an open access journal Volume 9 • Issue 6 • 1000569

ISSN: 2157-7579
Citation: Bekuma A (2018) Study on Challenges and Opportunities of Beekeeping in Gimbi District, West Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. J Vet Sci
Technol 9: 569. doi:10.4172/2157-7579.1000569

Page 2 of 5

represented study population. A total of 156 bee keepers were activity is very small. The mean age of the respondents was 46 years
randomly selected and interviewed. To determine the sample size, the old; and this showed that beekeeping activity is engaged by productive
formula recommended by Arsham [4] as N=0.25/SE2, where N is age group.
sample size, and SE is the standard error. A SE of 4% is considering for
Out of the total sampled beekeepers, 62.2% (97) and 17.31% (27)
the determination of the sample size.
have attended primary and secondary school, respectively. The rest
were illiterate. Exposure to education is generally supposed to increase
Sources and methods of data collection a farmer's ability to obtain, process, and use information relevant to
Both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were the adoption of improved agricultural technologies [5]. This result
collected from beekeepers through interview and focus group shows that, literacy wise, notably large proportion of 62.2% and 20.49%
discussion. Preliminary survey was conducted to assess the potential of the sample respondents were falls in primary and illiterate
kebeles in honey production and constraints of beekeeping in the study educational status, respectively. These low education levels of the
area. The questionnaires were pre-tested to evaluate appropriateness, society are challenges on improvements of beekeeping development
clarity and time taken for an interview. Then formal survey was that solicits a continuous training to enable the honey production to
consummated using semi-structured questionnaires. Focus group move forward; because literate households improve at least some of the
discussion was also carried out with key informants from bee experts, beekeeping routine managements and vigilant in accepting new
development agents, and knowledgeable farmers for supplementing technologies.
and crosschecking the data acquired through the household survey;
and acquires flexibility to explore new ideas and issues not anticipated Honey production trends
during planning of the questions. Then secondary data was obtained
According to Central Statistics Agency of Ethiopia [6], in Ethiopia,
from review of relevant published and unpublished documents, CSA
47.71 million kilograms of honey is produced annually; the greatest
reports and district Agricultural offices.
proportion, which is harvested from traditional hives. About 86.54%
(135) beekeepers were replied that honey yield become decreasing due
Method of data analysis to improper application of agro-chemical inputs, seasonal disease
Qualitative data derived from direct observations and key outbreak, and predators’ problem. The rest sample respondents were
informants was examined and presented in the form of discussions. indicated that the status of honey yield mainly dependence on the
The arranged quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS software season. During rainy season, there are a lot of bee forages so that large
version 23; and the results were presented using means ± SE, tables, volume of honey is produced. In contrary to this, during dry period,
and in rank. there is scarcity of bee forages that resulted low production of honey.
In the study area, honey is mainly harvested at the end of rain
Results and Discussion season between October and December. Majorities, 92.95% (145) of
the respondents were harvesting honey only once time/year; the most
Demographic characteristic of the respondents of these beekeepers were used traditional hives. The left respondents
were harvesting honey twice/year; as a result of supplementing feeds
Of the total beekeepers interviewed, 93.6% (146) were male, for their colonies during dry period and practicing seasonal colony
whereas 6.4% (10) were female. This pointed out that beekeeping management.
activity is chiefly performed by male. In the study district, hanging
locally made traditional hives on big tree branches was the major In the study area, traditional, intermediate and improved hives were
methods of honey production. Female cannot climb up such big trees used; and 5 kg, 10 kg and 15 kg of honey could be harvested from these
to produce honey and thus the participation of females in beekeeping types of hives per honey harvesting time, respectively (Table 1).

No Type of hive Minimum Maximum Mean ± SD

1 Traditional 5 10 5.42 ± 0.18

2 Intermediate 8 15 10.23 ± 0.36

3 Improved 13.5 25 15.69 ± 0.58

Table 1: The average honey harvested from the three types of hives in kg per year of the study area.

Honey marketing system All respondents clearly disclosed that the price of honey is expensive
in dry seasons, predominantly during wedding time from January to
In the study area honey and beeswax marketing is not yet April, and on others holidays, and in wet season from June to August,
developed, because producers and consumers were spatially separated, when no honey is produced. The present result agrees with the earlier
most producers were found in the rural areas while consumers or report of Taye et al. [7]. However, the price of honey is cheap during
profitable market is found in urban areas. As a result, honey was honey harvesting period (October-December); large volume of honey
marketed informally to unlicensed vendor, retailer, and mead (Teji) is sold at cheap price for different purpose during this period. As the
seller and village consumers. Accordingly, they mostly sell their honey response of the sampled farmers indicated quality of honey (60.9%)
to beverage (Teji) house 62.18% (97), local honey traders 23.72% (37) (95), distance from the market place (18.59%) (29), consumer’s
and village consumers 14.10% (22). preference (12.82%) (20), test (5.13%) (8) and color of honey (2.56%)

J Vet Sci Technol, an open access journal Volume 9 • Issue 6 • 1000569

ISSN: 2157-7579
Citation: Bekuma A (2018) Study on Challenges and Opportunities of Beekeeping in Gimbi District, West Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. J Vet Sci
Technol 9: 569. doi:10.4172/2157-7579.1000569

Page 3 of 5

(4) were factors governing the price of honey in the study district High cost of modern hive and equipment: The interviewed
(Table 2). beekeepers repeatedly stated that modern hive and its equipment are
very expensive and thus it is not easy to affordable to buy and use these
No Factors of honey price % respondents Rank equipment. Moreover, all sampled farmers explained that poor
1 Quality of honey 60.9 1st
accessibility of credit service that enables those farmers investing
modern honey production. Most of farmers were resource poor and
2 Distance from market place 18.59 2nd thus they are unable to buy and use modern bee technologies to
improve honey yield; as result, are mainly dependent on backyard
3 Consumers’ preference 12.82 3rd
methods of beekeeping. Taye et al. [7] also reported the same finding.
4 Test of honey 5.13 4th Honeybee diseases: It is well known that, honey bee diseases are
5 Color of honey 2.56 5th causing significant impact on the health status and well-being of honey
bee. Even if the interviewed beekeepers couldn’t clearly identify the
common name of the disease, all the respondents in all selected kebeles
Table 2: Some factors that govern honey price in the study area.
have proved the presence of different types of honeybee diseases in
their apiaries and can be detected most of the time. Accordingly, the
Beekeeping challenges respondents respond the sign of honey bee diseases like crawling bees
There are a lot of challenges that hindering the development of on the landing board, bees fail to fly, dislocated wings and bloated
beekeeping in the study area; some of these challenges were mentioned abdomen, and this is probably paralysis which is caused by virus (Table
as the following. 3).

Improper application of agro chemical inputs: In the study area, Pest and predators: Like all living things, honeybees are attacked at
coffee, maize, teff, barley, wheat and horticultural crops were some of all stages of their development by various enemies either directly as
the most common crops grown by the famers and whereby they predators, or indirectly, by disturbing the life of the colony in various
require variety of agro-chemicals for the control of different pest and ways. Pest and predators is a serious problem next to honey bee
disease; mainly to evade weeds. However, the ways and the time in diseases. As result of this study indicated the major bee pests and
which the farmers apply these agro-chemicals are not recommended. predators like ants, wax-month, and honey badger locally known as
This improper application of agro-chemical inputs overshadow the Hamaa, spider, wasps and lizards are the most beekeeping challenges
honeybee disease problems and also damage bee forages like herbs and that are consequence for swarming, absconding, migration and death
shrubs. As the result beekeeping activity is having an increasingly of colonies. The current results slightly coincide with the reports of
difficult time in maintaining adequate honeybee colonies in intensive Beyene et al. [7], Keralem [8], Birhanu [9,10].
cultivated areas and affects the pollination of cultivated crops.
Therefore, the responsible bodies could consider this problem here so
that appropriate suggestion intervention shall be primed.

No Constraints Frequency % of respondents Rank

1 Improper application of agro-chemicals 58 37.18 1st

2 High cost of modern hive and equipment’s 47 30.13 2nd

3 Honey bee diseases 33 21.15 3rd

4 Pest and Predators 18 11.54 4th

Table 3: Some beekeeping challenges in the study area.

Opportunities of honey production in the study area: Although Mango and etc. Thus there is favorable condition for bee forage.
many challenges are encountered, availability of different types of Moreover, the study area is also gifted with many smaller streams and
naturally and cultivated plant species and water, presence of immense rivers like Gelel, Ujuka, Sariti, Dabana and Didessa belong to the major
number of bee colonies, high market for honey, and attention of streams and rivers found. Thus, there is adequate drinking water for
government to improve beekeeping are opportunities for beekeeping bees year round (Table 4).
development.
Availability of bee forge and water: The study area has high amount
of field and horticultural crops: Coffee, Eucalyptus, Grawa, Avocado,

A/ Trees

Scientific Name Vernacular Name Flowering period

Cordia africana Wadessa January- July

J Vet Sci Technol, an open access journal Volume 9 • Issue 6 • 1000569

ISSN: 2157-7579
Citation: Bekuma A (2018) Study on Challenges and Opportunities of Beekeeping in Gimbi District, West Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. J Vet Sci
Technol 9: 569. doi:10.4172/2157-7579.1000569

Page 4 of 5

Mangifra indica Mango September-December

Orange Burtukana September-December

Eucalyptus sp. Baargamoo March-April

Acacia sp. Lafto March-September

Croton macrostachys Bakeanisa February-April

B/ shrubs and herbs

Scientific Name Vernacular Name Flowering period

Pterolobium stellatum Harangema September-December

Vernonia sp Eebicha December-February

Trifolium sp Clover Sidissa July-October

C/Horticultural Crops

Scientific Name Vernacular Name Flowering period

Persea americana Avocado September-December

Mangifra indica Manago September-December

Musa paradisca Banana September-October

D/ Field Crops

Scientific Name Vernacular Name Flowering period

Coffee arabica Coffee April-May

Teff ergoistatis Teff September -October

Sorghum dicor Sorghum September-November

Zea Mays Maize(Boqolo) September-October

Vicia faba Bakela September

Table 4: List of some major honey bee floras in the study area.

Presence of immense number of bee density: According to the should undertake regular training on beekeeping, providing credit
Gimbi district livestock and fishery resources development office, there service in collaboration with micro-finance and carrying out
are about 11279 traditional, 2164 transitional and 1029 modern bee experience sharing among farmers. Moreover, more study is also
hives; this high density of bee colonies will give great chance for required to characterize honeybees of the area, diseases, pests and
expanding bee keeping activity. predators of economic importance in the study area.
High demand for local honey from honey traders and consumers: In
the study district many people are engaged in mead (Teji) selling and Acknowledgements
local honey trading. Thus there is high demand for honey. The study extend thanks to Gimbi district livestock and fishery
Government and non-government organization support: In the resource development office for their cooperation during data
study area, both government and some non-government organizations collection and to beekeepers in the study area for willing to be
such as Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and Catholic religion interviewed and giving me all valuable required information.
undertake many activities in the form of training and helping the top
beekeepers by providing them some modern bee hive. References
1. United States Agency for International Development (2012) Agricultural
Conclusion and Recommendation Growth Program Agribusiness and Market Development Project.
Submitted by ACDI/VOCA to Contracting Officer’s Representative
It could be concluded from the study that beekeeping system was at
Tewodros Yeshiwork, USAID Ethiopia.
its infant stage even though there were high potentials to maximize the
2. Gallmann P, Thomas H (2012) Beekeeping and honey production in
out puts of the existing resources; because of improper application of south western Ethiopia. Honey Bee Investigation.
agrochemical inputs, high cost of modern hive and equipment’s, honey
bee diseases, pests and predators. Therefore, the responsible bodies

J Vet Sci Technol, an open access journal Volume 9 • Issue 6 • 1000569

ISSN: 2157-7579
Citation: Bekuma A (2018) Study on Challenges and Opportunities of Beekeeping in Gimbi District, West Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. J Vet Sci
Technol 9: 569. doi:10.4172/2157-7579.1000569

Page 5 of 5

3. CSA (2017/18) Central Statistical Agency of Gimbi Woreda, Gimbi, 8. Keralem E (2005) Honey bee production system, opportunities and
Ethiopia. challenges in Enebse Sar Midir Woreda (Amhara Region) and Amaro
4. Arsham H (2005) Questionnaire design and survey sampling. Special Woreda (Southern Nations, Nationalities and peoples Region),
Ethiopia. Thesis, Alemaya University, p: 133.
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and Determinant Factors in Ethiopia. Journal of Natural Sciences 9. Areda BT (2016) Constraints and Opportunities of Honeybee Production
Research 8: 24-29. and Honey Marketing Systems: A Case of Guji and Borena Zone of
Oromia State. EC Agriculture 3: 635-645.
6. CSA (2017) Central Statistics Agency of Ethiopia.
10. Gina T (2014) Potential of Honey Production and its Utilization for Food
7. Beyene T, Verschuur M (2014) Assessment of constraints and
Security in Filtu Woreda, Liben Zone, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia.
opportunities of honey production in Wonchi District South West Shewa
American-Eurasian J Agric Environ Sci 14: 863-865.
Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia. American Journal of Research
Communication 2: 342-353.

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ISSN: 2157-7579

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