Investigation of Beekeeping Practices and Honey Bee Products Utilization; the case of Diga District, East Wollega Zone Oromia regional state, Ethiopia.

Abstract

The main objectives of this thesis is to investigate beekeeping practices and bee products utilization in Diga district, East Wollega zone, Oromia regional state. The study area is covered with moderate climate, sufficient pollen and nectar for foraging bees, natural vegetation, adequate water resources and diverse flora and cultivated crops which create conducive environment for beekeeping activities. However, beekeeping activities are at low level and could not exploit the existing potential. Six kebeles were considered based on high beekeeping potential. A total of 158 informants, 90 beekeepers, 10 retailers were selected purposively based on accumulated native knowledge of beekeeping and 58 customers randomly from district based on presence of high beekeeping potential. Selected respondents were interviewed using semistructured interview, field observation and focus group discussion were used for collected data. A descriptive data analysis was used. Data were organized and analyzed using percentages, frequencies and spread sheet Microsoft excel. Traditional beekeeping method is mostly practiced in the study area due to the challenges of low society awareness, lack of experience sharing, lack of practical training, clearing of natural vegetation, little cooperation of beekeepers with developmental agents and unwise application of herbicides and pesticide. Lack of practical training, lack of experience sharing, mostly use traditional method of hive, mismatched hive management, effect of pests and predators were the major factors that hinder not exploit the existing potential. Strong support and supervision by developmental agents is highly demanding. Due attention should be given to beekeeping by all concerned bodies, trained human power specialized in apiculture, established cooperative beekeepers, training to traders and adoption of policy to beekeeping subsector.