Assessment on Challenges, Opportunities

of Beekeeping in agarro woreda

Senior Research Project Proposal

By. ayele Bizuneh Gizaw

Submitted to: Department of Animal science College of Agriculture

and Veterinary medicine, Jimma University, in partial fulfillment of the

requirement of the course senior reaserch proposal

Jimma, Ethiopia March,2013

Table of content

Content

Page List of table ...........................................i

List of Abbreviation ...................................ii

1. Back Ground and Justification..........................1

1.1 Objective............................................2

1.1.1 The general objective is:.................................2

1.1.2 The specific objective:...................................2

2. Literature Review......................................3

2.1 Potential for beekeeping in Ethiopia.................3

2.1.1 Availability of natural vegetation, field crops and water...........3

2.1.2. Availability of honey bee colonies..........................3

2.1.3 Availability of market...................................4

2.2 Current status and trends of beekeeping in Ethiopia..4

2.3 Major challenges in beekeeping.......................4

3 Materials and Methods...................................6

3.1 Description of the study area........................6

3.2 Sampling techniques and sample size..................6

3.3 Methods of data collection...........................6

3.4 Methods of data analysis...........................7

3.5 Expected out put.....................................7

4. Work Plan..............................................8

5. Budget (Logistics) requirement.........................8

5.1 Stationary cost......................................8

5.2 Personal cost........................................9

5.3. Budget summary......................................9

6. References............................................10

Questionnaire ........................................12

List of table

Table 1. Activity of the schedule.........................8

Table 2. Stationary cost..................................8

Table 3. Personal cost categories.........................9

Table 4 Budget summary....................................9

List of Abbreviations

MOA Ministry of Agriculture

SNNPR Southern Nation, Nationality people Region

MOARD Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

KG Kilogram

Km Kilometer

ETB Ethiopian birr

1. Back Ground and Justification

The potential of the tropical area of the Africa, Asia, and

America for the large scale production of honey and bees wax are

enormous, but with a few notable exceptions, mainly in America

(Francis smith, 2003).

Africa is blessed with numerous types of wild honey bees (Adjare

1990). Ethiopia is one of the countries of the continent which

owns big honey production potential. Owing to its varied

ecological and climatic conditions; Ethiopia us home to some of

the most diverse flora and fauna in Africa. Its forests and wood

lands contain diverse plant species that provides surplus nectar

and pollen to foraging bees (Girma, 1998).

Ethiopia has a huge natural resources base for honey production

and other hive products. Beekeeping is traditionally a well

established house hold activity in almost all parts of the

country. However, the benefit from the sub sector to the nation

as to the farmers, traders, processors and exporters are not

satisfactory (Beyene and David, 2007).

Beekeeping in Ethiopia is still under developed sector of

agriculture (Gezahegn, 2001a). The Knowledge and skill of honey

production and bees wax extraction of Ethiopian farmers still

traditional ( MOARO,2006).

The most important honey and bees wax producing regions in

Ethiopia are Oromiya about (46%) of the total production, SNNPR

(22%), Amhara (25%) and Tigray (5%), in more detail, the major

supplying area in the country includes, places like Sidamo,

Jimma, Gonder, Wollega, Illubabor, Bale and Gojjam (MOA, 2003)

This research is initiated to understand the challenges,

opportunities and current status of beekeeping in the Gube muleta

and to generate information for government ,different NGOs who

wants to work on beekeeping activities of Gube muleta as well as

for other who have such recourses to give information as input

for other research like development planners and the regional or

other regional policy makers.

1.1 Objective

1.1.1 The general objective is:

To assess the challenges,opportunities and current status of

beekeeping in Gube muleta kebele.

1.1.2 The specific objective:

1 To assess problems of beekeeping that challenges beekeeper

2 To asses different opportunities of beekeeping in the study

area

3 To assess the current status and condition of beekeeping in

that area.

2. Literature Review

2.1 Potential for beekeeping in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has enormous untapped potential for the development of

beekeeping. The prevailing production constraints in the

beekeeping sub sector of the country depending on the agro

ecology of the area where the activities are carried out (Edessa,

2005).

Based on survey conducted on current status of bee keeping in

Ethiopia the potential of apiculture development were enormous &

because of the following factors ( MOARD, 2003).

2.1.1 Availability of natural vegetation, field crops and water

The presence of natural plant habitat and cultivated crops near

and around apiary is a basic for the establishment of apiary. The

natural vegetation composed of forest trees, shrub herbs and

climbers provide adequate nectar and pollen for the foraging

bees. Besides this the natural vegetation, the availability of

cultivated crops such as oil crops (Naug and sunflower etc),

cereals (Maize and sorghum) and legumes (Bean and pea – etc) that

supply nectar and pollen for foraging bees has also paramount

importance. There is also enough water sources from lakes,

rivers, dams and streams used for individual consumption, brood

rearing and hive ventilation. Apiculture is deeply rooted in

Ethiopian rural life and is basic to many cultural activities.

Traditional knowledge by Ethiopian bee keepers and others of

their botanical surrounding is large but largely un recorded

(Rein Hard et al 1974).

2.1.2. Availability of honey bee colonies

Recent study on morph cultures geographical races of Ethiopia by

Amsalu et al., (2002) indicated that there are five (5)

geographical races of honey bees. The strong bee colonies

indicate that the area is very suitable for bee business

development.

According to Melaku Girma and Shiffa Ballo, (2008), the

production of honey bees per traditional bee hive per season

ranges from 3 to 7 kg, with on average production of 4.61 kg,

honey production from modern hives ranges from 10-15 kg. With on

average production of 12.5kg per hives per harvest. The average

frequency of honey production is twice a year.

2.1.3 Availability of market

In fact honey produced in the country is sold mainly at village

level and the rest is sold on the road side of the market. The

average price of honey in the village level is ETB 27.50/kg and

town is ETB 45/kg (Malaku and Shifta, 2008).

2.2 Current status and trends of beekeeping in Ethiopia

The majority beekeepers in the country still producing honey

using traditional hives. The promotion of some agricultural

inputs such as pesticides and herbicides for cereal crop

production as well as the use deadly chemicals for malaria

prevention program have substantially reduced honey production.

As a result bee products marketing has retrogressively promoted

to petty trading.

2.3 Major challenges in beekeeping

Ethiopia has untapped potential for promoting beekeeping, both

for local use and for export purpose. However, like any other

livestock sector, this sub sector has been ceased by complicated

constraints. The prevailing production constraints in the

beekeeping sub sector of the country would vary depending on the

agro- ecology of the area where the activities is carried out

(Eddessa, 2005). The variation of the production constraints also

extend in socio – economic conditions, cultural practice, climate

and behaviors of the bees.

According to Ayalew (2001), the major constraints in the bee

keeping are the following; un pleasant behaviors of bees, lack of

skilled man power, low level of technology used, draught and

deforestation of natural vegetation, poor post harvest management

and indiscriminate application of agro chemical, pest and

predators, poor extension services, and shortage of records. But

all these problems may not be constraints to all parts of the

country and may not be equally pressing to every place. So it

requires characterizing the constraints in their respective

places to take an appropriate development measures.

According to Gezaheng ( 1996), beekeeping research is new in

Ethiopia. Holeta bee research center is the main mandated

institution under taking applied and adaptive apicultural

research that would support development. Bee keeping research so

for conducted in the country although encouraging is not

satisfactory because one center could not address all part of the

country. Most of the research work is still being carried out on

station with modern technology and management system. However,

the great majority of beekeeping production is based on

traditional production system where the result of on – station

research may not be applicable to the local condition.

3 Materials and Methods

3.1 Description of the study area

The study will be conducted in south western of the country in

Jimma zone, Oromia region, Mana woreda Gube muleta Kebele.The

kebele bounded by Gudeta bula at east, Buture kebele at west,

Lemi lelisa at North and Doyo bikila at south. The kebele 12km

far from Jimma. And the woreda is far from Jimma town 12km and

352km from Addis Ababa. The total area of the kebele is

1298.5hect. The altitude of the area is 1800-2000m.a.s.l and the

annual rain fall is 1200-2800 mm/ year with annual temperature

11.8-28co.The agro ecology of the kebele is woyina dega. The

farming system of the area is mixed forming system and, the major

cereal crops and cash crops are maize and coffee respectively.

The total population of the kebele is 5440 from those 2507 M and

2933F with the total house hold 888 from these 798 M and

90Female.

3.2 Sampling techniques and sample size

A Formal types of survey will be carried out to collect primary

data through structured questioner developed for the purpose of

interviewing the farmers by the group members by interviewing the

respondents.75 households will be selected by using purposive

sampling method to select the area that has house holds who are

participants in the beekeeping. From this area the beekeepers of

40 sample size will be randomly selected to collect the necessary

data on the challenges ,opportunities & current status of the bee

management in the area.

3.3 Methods of data collection

Both primary data like the potential of the kebele for

beekeeping, feed source, problem with beekeeping and etc. from

the farmers through interviewing directly and the secondary data

from the kebeles leader and kebeles development agent (DA) like

climate, rainfall, population of kebele and number of farmers

participating in beekeeping activity.

1.4 Methods of data analysis

All the data collected throughout the survey period will be

analyzed by using both the qualitative and quantitative

techniques. The result will be presented in the form of

percentage, graphics, charts which will be used to show the

different magnitudes.

3.5 Expected out put

At the end of the survey we have to differentiate the potential

of the kebele, constraint, challenges & current status of

beekeeping and to generate full information to improve production

and productivity of beekeeping.

4. Work Plan

Table 1. Activity of the schedule

Months (year 2012)Feb March April May

1 Title selection X2 Literature review X X3 Selection of the study

area

X X

4 Questionnaire

preparation

X

5 Information gathering X X X6 Proposal writing &

submission

X

7 Data collection X X X8 Data analysis X X9 Research report

writing

X

10 Final report

submission & and

presentation x

5. Budget (Logistics) requirement

5.1 Stationary cost Table 2. Stationary cost

No Item Unit Quantit

y

Unitper

price

Total

price

Total

Pen No 3 3.50 10.5Paper Rim 1 95 95Pencil No 3 2 6Note book No 3 8 24Binder No 1 27 27CD’s &

floppy

No 4 6 24

Total 186.5Source: From group members

5.2 Personal cost Table 3. Personal cost categories

No ActivitiesDescription unit

(quantity)

Price/unit

(birr)

Total

cost

1 Transportation

cost

3 20 3x20x3=18

02 Typing cost for 15 pages 4 60

proposal writing3 Typing cost for

research result

40 pages 4 160

4 Cost for

preparing power

point

25 slides 2 50

Total

450

5.3. Budget summary Table 4 Budget summary

No Item Sub – total1 Stationery cost 186.52 Personal cost 450

Total 636.53 Contingency (15%) 95.5 Grand total 732

6. References

Adjare, 1990. Beekeeping in Africa. Agricultural service Bulletin

69/6. Food and Agricultural organization of the united

nation Rome 1990.

Amsalu B. 2004: Multivariate Morph metric analysis of honey bees

(Apis melfera in Ethiopia region Apidologies 35 (2004) 71-

84).

Ayalew, K, 2001: Promotion of beekeeping in the rural sector of

Ethiopia. In the proceeding of the 3rd Ethiopian beekeepers

association (EBA) Pp 52.58.

Beyene, T. Band David, P 2007; Ensuring mall scale producers in

Ethiopia to achieve sustainable and fairy access to honey

markets. Paper prepared for international development

entries (IWE) and Ethiopian society for appropriate

technology (ESAT), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Edessa Negera 2005 Survey of honey production system in west

Showa zone. In proceeding of the 4th Ethiopian beekeepers

association/ EMA Ethiopia.

Franc’s smith

Gezaheng T. 1996, Zooming in Ethiopia. The Journal for

sustainable beekeeping and development 40:11.

Gzaheng T. 2001 a Apiculture development strategies, Ministry of

Agriculture and rural development, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Girma Deffar, 1995 Non- wood forest production in Addis, Ababa

Ethiopia.

Melaku Girma and Shiffa Ballo, 2008. approach, methods and

process for innovating apiculture development experience

for Ada, alben workday oromia regional state, Ethiopia.

MOA,2003(Ministry of Agriculture). Comprehensive home land bees

wax marketing 2nd draft. MOA Addis Ababa,Ethiopia pp 1-10

MOARD, 2003. Honey and bees wax production and marketing plan

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Rein Hard Ricchts and Adi, 1994. Honey bee flora of Ethiopia

Holeta bee research center.

Questionnaire on challenges, opportunities and current status of beekeeping in Gube muleta kebele. Part I

4 Name of the respondent------------------------------------------------------------age------sex---educational status grade(1-4)-----------grade (5-8)---------------grade(9-12)-----------(higher level)----------------

5 Religion-----------------------------

6 Marital status------------------

Married---------- unmarried --------------- widowed------divorced----

7 Family member male---------------------- female----------------- total---------------

8 .Division of work according to age group

Sex age

8-15 16-28 29-45 46-60

Male

Female

total

6. Beekeeping activities, potentials and honey ‘crop’

harvesting

6.1. Do you keep honey bees? 1. Yes 2.No

6.1.1. If yes when did you start bee keeping?.............

year(s) before.

6.2. How you start bee keeping?

No

.

Sources Quanti

ty

Traditional Transitio

nal

Movable-

frame1 From

parents2 Catching

swarms3 Buying4 Others

(specify)

6.2.1. If the answer for question 1.1.1. is buying is there a

sale of bee colony in your locality?

1. Yes 2. No

6.2.1.1. If yes what is the price of one colony?..........ETB.

6.3. How many honey bee colonies you owned?

No

.

Year

s

Traditional Transitional Moveable-

frameNo. Product

(kg)

No. Product

(kg)

No. Product

(kg)1 20002 20013 20024 20035 2004

6.4. What are the sources and costs of the bee hives you used?

No

.

Items Traditiona

l

Transiti

onal

Moveable-

frame1 Constructed by

himself/herself2 Constructed locally &

bought3 Bought from market4 Supplied by

governments-3 On credit bases

-4 Free of charge5 Supplied by NGOs

-5 On credit bases-6 Free of charge

6 Price of one hive

(ETB)7 Service years

6.5. What are the major materials used for hive construction in

the study area?

a. from bark of free b. from clay

c. from mud d. from straw

made e. others

6.6. What are the major advantages of your different bee hives?

Traditional Transitio

nal

Moveable-

frameYes No Yes No Yes No

1 Material availability2 Suitability of harvest3 Quality of honey4 Temperature

maintenance5 More swarming

frequency6 Convenience to

construct

7 Durability8 Cost effective9 Others (specify)

6.7 Where did you keep your colonies?

No

.

Site or placement of

hive

Traditional Transiti

onal

Moveable-

frame1 Back yard2 Under the eaves of

the house3 Inside the house4 Hanging on trees near

homestead5 Hanging on trees in

forests

7. What is the reason for absconding of bee colonies?

_________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________.

7.1. The major types of tree species preferred for hanging of

hives.

No

.

Scientific name Local name Reason of preferred

123

45678910

7.2. What type of techniques is used to capture the swarming

colony?

9 By dispersing dust onto swarming colony

10 By dispersing water onto swarming colony

11 By hanging hives on branches of tree

12 Mention the other means……

7.3 Mention honey harvesting seasons?

a. July-Sept. c. Jan.-March

b. Oct.-Dec. d. April-June

e. if other…..

7.4 What type of equipments is used for honey harvesting?( circle

one or more)

13 For traditional hives i. protection cloth ii.

Smoker iii. Bee brush iv. Knife v. if other….

14 For transitional hives i. protection cloth ii.

Smoker iii. Bee brush iv. Knife v. chisel

vi. if other….

15 For modern hives i. protection cloth ii. Smoker

iii. Bee brush iv. Knife

v. chisel vi. if other….

7.5 What type of container are used for honey collection and

storage?

a. Plastic barrel/jar b. clay jar c. metallic

container d. other specify…

7.6 If your honey is granulated or crystallized. Did you change

it to viscous honey?

1. Yes 2. No

7. 6.1. If yes what methods do you use? a. Direct

heating using fire

b. putting in boiled water c. using sun light

d. others………………..

7. 7. How do you rate the quality of your Haney?

a. by color b. smelling c. by eats odor d. by testing

e. by its thickness f. other method specify

7. 8. What type of other bee product do you obtained ?

a. Bees wax b. pro polis c. royal jelly d. Bee venom

e. pollen f. Bee brood

7.9 What is the major honey Bee plant species found in the study

area?

No Plant type

Scientific Name

Local Name

Flowering period

Color of honey Produced from

1234567

7.10. Which plant species mentioned in no.2.9 are more visited by

honey bees?

16 ----------------------------------------- b.

-----------------------------------------

c. ----------------------------------------- d.

----------------------------------------

e. ----------------------------------------- f.

----------------------------------------etc….

7.11. The honey from which plant species are more preferred among

consumers? ………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

7.12. Is there any plant species which are toxic for bees in the

study area?

a. Yes b. No

7.12.1 If yes mention some of them

Scientific Name Local Name

17 -------------------------- -------------------------

-----

18 ------------------------- -------------------------

-----

19 -------------------------- -------------------------

-----

7.13. Dose water available for your honey bees at all the time?

1. Yes 2. No

7.14. if yes, where do your honey bees get water? (circle one or

more)

a. stream b. rivers c. lakes d. ponds e water

harvesting f. others

7.15 If your response is No, how do you provide water to your bee

colonies?

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----------------------------------------------------------

8. Colony characteristics and management

8.1. What are the feature of your honey bees?

20 Behavior: 1. Docile 2. Aggressive 3. Very

aggressive

21 Color: 1. Black 2. Red 3. Grey 4.

Mixture

22 Size 1. Big 2. Medium 3.

Small

8.2. Which one is productive? a. Behavior b. color

c. size

8.3. Do you inspect your colony? 1. Yes 2. No

8.3.1. if yes which type of inspection you perform

a. external hive inspection

b. internal inspection c. both

8.4. Frequently of inspection

23 external hive inspection circle one or more)

i. Frequently ii. Sometimes iii. Rarely

24 internal hive inspection circle one or more)

25 Frequently ii. Sometimes iii. Rarely

8.5. When the following major activities occur in your locality?

Season(s)Sept-

Nov

Dec- Feb March-

May

June-

Aug 1 Brood raring

period2 Dearth period3 Colony

migration 4 Absconding

9. Swarming

9.1. Dose swarming occurs in your colonies or localities? 1.

Yes 2. No

9.1.1. If your response is yes what is frequency?

a. Every season b. Every year c. once in a year

d. twice a year

9.2. What are the common season for swarming of honey bee

colonies/

a. September- December b. January –April c. May-

August

9.3. Is there swarming advantageous to you? 1. Yes 2. No

9.3.1. if yes describe the reason(s)

a. To increase my number of colony b. To sale and

income

c. To replace non- productive bee colonies

d. others (Specify)

9.4. do you control/ prevent swarming? 1. Yes 2. No

9.4.1 what method do you use to control swarming ?

a. Removal of queen cell b. cutting of honey comb

c. Cutting drown comb d. supering

e. using large volume hive f. other specify ………………

9.5. Do you feed honey bee colonies? 1. Yes 2. No

9.5. 1. If yes where do you feed your honey bee colonies (months)

………….

9.6. What kind of feed you offer to your bees?

No Type of feed Amount of

offered/season/colony

Cost per

kg(ETP)1 Besso 2 Shiro

3 Sugar4 Honey 5 Other (Specify)

10. What are the major constraints of beekeeping in your area?

a. drought (due to lack of rainfall) b. lack of bee forage

associated with deforestation

c. pests and predators d .pesticide poisoning

e. lack of swarms (low hive occupation rate) f. Absconding

g. lack of beekeeping equipment and material h. lack of

water

i. disease of honey bees j. marketing problems

k. poor storage facilitates

l. shortage of beehives m. lack of knowledge n.

others ……….

10.1 what are the possible traditional solutions taken by the

beekeeper? For each problem mentioned on question no 6.1

a. offering water and sugar syrup during drought and feed

shortage

b. for the lack of honey bee equipment, using local materials

c. plantation of flowering plant around the apiary site

d. use if ash dust around beehive stand for some pests

e. other specify…….

10.2. If there any bee diseases in the study area? 1.

Yes 2. No

10.3. If yes what are they?

-------------------------------------------

10.3.1. what are the traditional means of protection for question

no 6.3. for each problem?

a. hive disinfection b. hive cleaning

c. cleaning of the apiary site d. other means (specify)

………..

10.4 In which category of hives your colonies do more likely

affected by the disease?

a. traditional b. transitional c.

movable-frame

10.5. What are the major pests & predators found in the area that

threat your colonies? List in order of importance

No Pest/predator Rank Local control

methods 1 Ants2 Wax moth3 Bee lice4 Spiders5 Wasps 6 Prey mantis7 Toads8 Lizard 9 Snake10 Monkey 11 Birds12 Hama got/shelemetmat

13 Others (specify)

10.6. Do you use agrochemicals/chemicals in your locality? 1.

Yes 2. No

10.6.1. IF yes, why do you apply agrochemical/chemicals?

a. crop pest control b. weeds control c. malaria

control

d. tsetse fly control e. others

(specify)--------------------------------------

10.7. when do you use

agrochemicals/chemicals(months)?---------------------------------

---

10.8. what type of agrochemicals/chemicals are you

using?-------------------------------------

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---------------------------------------------

10.9. Do agrochemicals/chemicals affect your honey bees? 1.

Yes 2. No

10.10 what is the estimated honey you lose due to the application

of

agrochemicals/chemicals?-----------------------------------------

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Compiler Name

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