Beekeeping Practices and Challenges in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to analyze beekeeping practices and challenges of beekeeping production. Majority of the Ethiopian households are engaged in beekeeping production and producinga different variety of honey. Globally, Ethiopia has been recognized as one of the top honey producers. Most of the producers use the traditional way of honey production. Honey maintains nutritional value as well as quality.The data were collected from the honey bee producers in Amhara Region using structured questionnaire. Regression analysis and factor analysis were used to find out the beekeeping practices and constraints in producing honey. For the study purpose, 40 beekeepers were selected using purposive sampling. The main objective of the study is to assess the honeybeekeepers’aspects of opportunities and challenges.From the analysis, most of the honeybeekeepers are aware of honey beekeeping practices through their parents, self-interest, and inheritance. They are catching honeybee hives in the traditional way. Rigorous extension services should be given for the beekeepers for improving their practical knowledge about beekeeping as well as community participation for improved beekeeping