Assessment of Beekeeping Practice and Honey Production Potential in Limmu Sekka District, Jimma, Oromia, South Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Beekeeping provides several remarkable benefits to farming societies. It can make farmers' livelihoods more resilient by easing their credit constraints when encountering with shocks. Bee products give for bettered nutrition and accordingly better health for ranch families and others in original communities. Production potential is strictly depends on the practices conducted by the bee farmers. The study was conducted in Limmu Sekka district, Jimma zone South West Ethiopia to assess honey production potential and beekeeping practices in the area. The study area is situated in Ethiopia, Oromia Regional State at Jimma zone; Limmu Sekka district with latitude;7° 36' 5.68"E and longitude; 36° 43' 31".35 E. Jimma zone ; Limmu Sekka district areas is covered with abundant forest, shrubs, bushes and comparatively less cultivated crops. The study was designed to investigate the beekeeping practices and the production potential of the honey products in the study area, and to assess the suitable environmental conditions that the region naturally endowed with much diversified flora. The district was selected purposively by having good climatic conditions and moderate forest coverage, which enhance honey production potential. Accordingly, three kebeles were selected by probability sampling method among the kebeles found in the district. The study was conducted from Semptember 2024 up to February 2025 at Limmu Sekka district at selected kebeles; Sekka, Gejib and Dora. Primary data collection was employed and the questionnaire was distributed among 96 participants. The collected data was analyzed by statistical analysis software; SPSS. The result of the study showed that the majority of hives (88.5%) produce below 25 kg of honey hive/season. Only small fractions (11.5%) of hives produce between 25-50 kg. A significant portion of households had annual honey production (67.7%) between 100-300 kg of honey. However, only a small number of households produce more than 300 kg. Based on the result of this study equipment issues are significant challenge faced by honey producers to produce in modern approach, accounting for 43.8% of the responses. The majority of respondents (84.4%) practice traditional beekeeping methods. Very few respondents (2%) use transitional methods. A small minority (13.5%) utilizes modern beekeeping methods. The greater number of the respondents (82.3%) harvest honey twice a year while small number of respondents (17.7%) produces honey three times in a year. The findings reveal a landscape of honey production that is characterized by low yields and traditional practices among beekeepers, with significant opportunities for growth through the adoption of modern techniques and improved resources. Addressing the challenges of equipment and pest management, while enhancing training and technological integration, could elevate honey production and quality. Furthermore, leveraging local markets presents a pathway for economic development within the community, suggesting that strategic support for beekeepers could lead to more sustainable and profitable operations. Access to modern equipment, research initiatives, improving pest management strategies and expanding modern approaches are the recommendation that can be drawn from this study to increase the productivity.