Determinants Of Small Household Farmers Participation In Honey Production Management: The Case Of Walmara District Of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Despite the long tradition of beekeeping in Ethiopia and having potential for beekeeping the beekeepers in particular and the country in general are not well benefited from the sub-sector. Moreover, the study area is covered with natural vegetation, shrubs and man-made forest, annual and perennial crops which create conducive environment for beekeeping. However, beekeeping activities are still at low level and could not exploit the existing potential. The main objective of this thesis was to investigate the factors that affect development of beekeeping in the study area.. To serve these objectives household survey, focus group discussion and key informant interview were used to collect primary data. To conduct the household survey structured questionnaire wasprepared in English language first and translated to Oromo language and enumerators were recruited from the study area and training was given for the enumerators on how to conduct the household survey. In order to collect primary data multiple stage technique of sampling was employed. Accordingly, 4 sample kebeles were selected purposively and 142 sample beekeepers were selected using simple random sampling technique. Households’ survey data was analyzed using descriptive statistics; percentages, frequencies and some statistical test was conducted such as chi-square test of association, independent sample t-test and binomial proportion test. Furthermore, primary data that was collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews was analyzed qualitatively. It was found that ants, birds’, spiderandlizardpreviously unknown and recently emerged red color flower, farmers inclination to traditional beekeeping method, low of extension services with respect to beekeeping, lack enough of trainings by the concerned bodies how to process and produce, lack of initiation for farmers with respect to beekeeping by the concerned bodies, expensiveness of improved hives and accessories and lack of credit facilities, lack of producer’s organizations and absence of involvement of traders in beekeeping activities, absence of facilities, lack of allocation of budget for beekeeping activities, specialized in apiculture are the major factors that hindered the development of beekeeping in the study area. The findings of the study the research recommends, Education for beekeepers how to prevent ants, birds,spiderand lizard and additional efforts to reduce the impacts of ants, mobilizing the community so as to destroy the recently arriving poisonous plant, an arrangement to make improved hives and accessories in the study area, strong extension services with respect to beekeeping activities, due attention to beekeeping sub-sector by all concerned bodies like that of crop production, sustainable awareness creation activities among the farmers withrespect to beekeeping activities in general and improved beekeeping method in particular, recruitment of man-power specialized in beekeeping science in required quantity, budget allocation specific to beekeeping activities, an arrangement of credit services for beekeepers, in collection of beekeeping products.