Status of Beekeeping practices, Challenges and Opportunities among smallholder farmers around Desa’a Forest, Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

Desa’a forestland scape is one of the potential forest land coverage areas having high forest cover suitable for beekeeping. However, there was no systematic study being carried out to indicate status of beekeeping practices, challenges and opportunities associated with beekeeping in the study area. This study was therefore designed to assess status of beekeeping practices, opportunities, challenges and on improved beekeeping system having importance to address the challenges and to exploit the resources. The study was carried out in four purposively selected kebelles found in Desa’a forestland scape based on their potential in improved beekeeping. Accordingly, a total sample size of 200 beekeepers was selected using systematic random sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire, field observation and focal group discussion were employed to collect primary data. Descriptive statistics such as mean, frequency, and standard deviation was used to analyze the data. Improved beekeeping system in the study area was dominated by male (91.5%) with average experience in improved beekeeping system 8.37 years, 92 beekeepers having only modern hive and 102 beekeepers have both modern and traditional hive. The study reveals modern hive was more productive 16.25kg per hive per year than tradition 7.25kg per hive per year in the study area. Plant species influenced the test and color of honey. Hence, honey produced especially from Hypoestes forskaoli, Leucas abyssinica,Becium grniform is a special white and highly demanded honey in Desa’a forestland. Beekeepers indicating a large amount of honey were harvested in October and November. However, low amount of honey harvested in July and September of the year. High demand and price of honey, presences of multiple bee flora, wide area closers, presence of supporting NGOs and governmental institutions, having indigenous knowledge of beekeeping and socio economic value as good opportunities to improved beekeeping in the study area. However, the study area having constraints frequent drought, absconding bee, lack of beekeeping skill, application of agrochemical, high cost of beekeeping material and disease, pests and predators. Governmental organization, NGOs, Extension service providers, research institutions and higher education institution have to focus on strengthen beekeeping cooperatives, farmer groups , delivering practical hand on training beekeeping , developing regulations on agrochemical pesticides and herb sides usage ,develop honey marketing centers and quality checking technology.