Opportunities of beekeeping in Delo-Mena and MaddaWalabu Districts of Bale Zone, South Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Solomon Legesse and Seid Guyo

The study was conducted in Delo-Mena and Madda-Walabu districts of Bale zone with the objective of assessingopportunities of beekeeping schemes. In this study eleven (11) representative kebeleswere selected using purposive sampling techniques. A total of 154 households were drawn by random sampling technique and interviewed using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Information was collected on household characteristics, indigenous knowledge and practices on beekeeping and honeybee production systems.Accordingly, in the area two types of beekeeping systems were identified, namely: Traditional and Modern honeybee production systems.But Traditional system (90.3%) is predominantly practiced than modern (9.7%). On the other hand, when beekeepers were asked to explain how they started beekeeping, most of them (92%) replied that they have started beekeeping by trapping swarms and some (7%) replied that they received from their parents as gifts. This shows the potential of the area having plenty of bees and makes it simple way for investing on honey bee sector. Honeybee flora compositions of Madda-Walabu wereda were natural vegetation and some perennial crops; while in Delo-Mena wereda cultivated crops, annual herbs, and some natural trees have significant contribution for beekeeping. The presence of plenty of bees, natural resources, human capital and the current attention of the government towards the introduction of different beekeeping technology packages are the main opportunities of beekeeping sector. But the main challenge identified were application of agrochemicals. As concluding remarks, the traditional and homemade hives were financially feasible and appropriate for relatively good use of locally available resources. Thus, the major concern to sustain the beekeeping activities should be integration of beekeeping with natural resources conservation programs, introducing affordable and appropriate beekeeping technology through training, and encouraging of community as a whole.