Evaluation of Honey Quality and BeekeepingSystem In Sellected District of Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Oromia Region , Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Honey is one of the oldest sweetening foods, has medicinal, nutritional and economic importance. The present work has the aim of evaluating honey quality and assessing knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of beekeepers by using 24 honey samples and 125 selected beekeepers in Amuru district of Oromia region, west Ethiopia. Of the total of 24 honey samples, of which 18 samples were purposively taken from selected six kebeles from farm gates of beekeepers and 6 samples from honey retailers. The main analyzed parameters were Moisture Content (MC), Hydroxymethylf urfuran (HMF), pH, Free Acidity (FA), Ash, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Reducing Sugar, Sucrose and Color. The analysis was done in Holeta Bee Research Center. A total of 125 respondents were interviewed and field observation was made used as tool of data collection. The laboratory result and the survey were analyzed by SPSS version.23 by using GLM, and using descriptive analysis method respectively. The overall mean ± SD of MC, HMF, pH, FA, ash, EC, RS, Sucrose and Color of honey analyzed were; 20.43 ± 1.32 %, 16.39 ± 2.68 mg/kg, 3.92 ± 0.07, 36.67 ± 2.13 meq/kg, 0.25 ± 0.14, 0.68 ± 0.3 %, 73.08 ± 0.92 %, 1.80 ± 0.35 % and 103.75 ± 2.89 mm respectively. The value of moisture, HMF and FA of honey significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by agro-ecologies and sources. pH and Color values of honey from the retailer was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the honey collected from beekeepers. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) revealed among hive types of all parameters analyzed. The moisture value of honey mainly declared significantly correlated with free acidity with r = 0 .63**, (p < 0.01) and strong positive correlation between HMF and EC with the highest r= 0.77 **, (P < .01) is observed. Beekeeping mainly practiced by males 87.20%. The range of age of respondents were from 25 to 65 years old mostly. 89.60% knew the health benefits of honey and practiced to treat many of the human and animal diseases. Presence of honey bee flora, and bee colony considered to be an essential indicato r for potentialities of the beekeeping of the area. However, pests and predators, indiscriminate agroc hemicals and diseases,were the major identified beekeeping constraints. It can be concluded that most results of honey quality analyzed on honey produced in the area is of good quality and can meet the national and international standards. Beekeepers KAP study indicates honey has a public health benefits which could be a great contribution for the development of modern medicine. Therefore, strong efforts have to be made to promote this indigenous knowledge and practices of beekeepers on honey health benefits and improve beekeeping system through extension