Abstract:
This study was conducted in Masha Woreda of Southwestern Ethiopia in 2014. The objectives
of the study were to analyze honey value chain, profit margin distribution along the value
chain, determinants of honey value addition decision and extent of value addition, the gender
role at the farm level and factors affecting market outlet choice of beekeepers. The data were
collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were collected from
147 beekeepers, 22 retailers, 13 cooperatives, 15 tej makers and 20 consumers through
application of an appropriate statistical procedures .From the surveyed households there
were only two female-headed HHs. The study result showed that the major value chain actors
in the Woreda are input suppliers, beekeepers, retailers, cooperatives, tej makers, exporter
and consumers. The support service providers are governmental organizations, NGOs,
financial institutions and organic inspection and certification agencies. The result showed
that the women participation is less in productive activities and decision making as compared
with men and women’s participation is higher in reproductive activities as compared with
men’s. The Tobit model result indicates that the value addition decision and extent is
significantly affected by perception of beekeepers towards price of value added honey,
cooperative membership of the HH head, HH adult equivalent, extension service, credit
access, distance to the nearest market and education level of the HH head. There were four
honey market outlet choices in the study area such as tej makers, retailers, cooperatives and
processor. Multivariate probit model result showed that the market outlet choice of the
farmers affected by age of the HH head, education level of the HH head, HH adult equivalent,
extension service, distance to the nearest market, membership in cooperative, information
access, credit access and mode of sale. Therefore, policies promoting farmers access to
modern beekeeping technologies, improving extension service, credit and market information
access, gender consideration and cooperative development are recommended to improve
honey value chain in the study area. In addition, more study will also require improving the
existing honey production and marketing system in the study area.
