DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

DEBREMARKOS UNIVERSITY

Contents

THE PROBLEM OF HONEY BEE PRODUCTION IN ENARJENAWGA WOREDA: A REVIEW.......3

1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................................3
2 Literature review......................................................................................................................................7
2.1. Beehive technology as a factor affecting quality of honey production..............................................7
2.2. Harvesting and processing methods..................................................................................................7
2.3. Influence of agrochemicals on honey quality...................................................................................8
2.4. Influence of intensified farming practices on the quality of honey..................................................9
2.5. Honey bee Pests and Predators.........................................................................................................9
2.6. Conceptual Framework...................................................................................................................10
2.7 Honey Bee Management Practices..................................................................................................10
2.8 Adoption of Inputs and Technologies to Improve Honey Bee Production.......................................10
2.9 Harvesting and Preservation of Honey Bee Products.......................................................................11
2.10 Honey Bee Products Demand and Consumptions..........................................................................11
2.11 Honeybee Flora and Dry Season Feeding......................................................................................12
10.12 Poisonous Plants and Honeybee Poisoning..................................................................................13
2.13 Constraint of Honey Bee Production.............................................................................................13
2.14 Prospects of Honey Bee Production...............................................................................................14
3 METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION.................................................................................................14
4 CONCLUSIONS....................................................................................................................................15
5 RECOMMENDATIONS........................................................................................................................16
6 ACKNOWLEDGMENT......................................................................................................................17
7 REFERENCES.......................................................................................................................................18

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DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
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Abstract
Ethiopia has a longer tradition of beekeeping than other country in the world during time of king
Ezana, around the 3rd century AD; wax was needed for religious ceremonies and honey for
nobility and the social elite for making traditional beverages. Despite its long history, beekeeping
in Ethiopia is still an undeveloped sector of agriculture. The knowledge and skill of honey
production and honey and wax extraction of Ethiopian farmers is still very traditional. Of all the
countries in the world, no country has such a long tradition of beekeeping than Ethiopia. Despite
its long history, beekeeping in Ethiopian is still an undeveloped sector of agriculture. The
knowledge and skill of honey and beeswax production of Ethiopian farmers is still very
traditional and 95% of beekeepers follow traditional method of beekeeping practice with no
improved techniques or technology (Oxfam, 2008). According to Community Supported
Agriculture (CSA), the major honey and beeswax producing regions in Ethiopia are Oromia
(41%), SNNPR (22%), Amhara (21%) and Tigray (5%) however, the country is suffering from
the ecological degradation of its natural resources and this means the basis for any honey
production is threatened and affected. in many regions of the country, beekeeping is considered
as one of the income-generating activities for resource-poor farmers including women, youth and
the unemployed sectors of the community (CSA,2011). Ethiopia is a leading honey producer in
Africa and one of the ten largest honey producing countries in the world.

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DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
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THE PROBLEM OF HONEY BEE

PRODUCTION IN ENARJENAWGA
WOREDA: A REVIEW

1 Introduction
Ethiopia has a longer tradition of beekeeping than other country in the world during time of king
Ezana, around the 3rd century AD; wax was needed for religious ceremonies and honey for
nobility and the social elite for making traditional beverages. Despite its long history, beekeeping
in Ethiopia is still an undeveloped sector of agriculture. The knowledge and skill of honey
production and honey and wax extraction of Ethiopian farmers is still very traditional. Of all the
countries in the world, no country has such a long tradition of beekeeping than Ethiopia. Despite
its long history, beekeeping in Ethiopian is still an undeveloped sector of agriculture. The
knowledge and skill of honey and beeswax production of Ethiopian farmers is still very
traditional and 95% of beekeepers follow traditional method of beekeeping practice with no
improved techniques or technology (Oxfam, 2008). According to Community Supported
Agriculture (CSA), the major honey and beeswax producing regions in Ethiopia are Oromia
(41%), SNNPR (22%), Amhara (21%) and Tigray (5%) however, the country is suffering from
the ecological degradation of its natural resources and this means the basis for any honey
production is threatened and affected. in many regions of the country, beekeeping is considered
as one of the income-generating activities for resource-poor farmers including women, youth and
the unemployed sectors of the community (CSA,2011). Ethiopia is a leading honey producer in
Africa and one of the ten largest honey producing countries in the world. Ethiopia has a share of
around 23.58% and 2.13% of the total Africa and world honey production respectively (Ayalew,
1990). Due to its wide climatic and edaphic variability, Ethiopia is a home to some of the most
diverse flora and fauna in Africa that provide surplus nectar and pollen source to foraging bee
colonies (Girma Deffar, 1998). This assisted to exist more than 12 million honey bee colonies in
the country (Gezahegn, 2001). Despite the favorable agro ecology for honey production and the
number of bee colonies the country is endowed with, the level of honey production and
productivity in the country is remain low. One of the prominent factors for this low honey and
productivity is traditional hives. Ethiopia has the potential to produce 500,000 tones of honey per
year and 50,000 tones of beeswax per annual, but currently production is limited to 43,000 tones
of honey and 3,000 tones of beeswax (MOARD, 2008). Ethiopia has immense natural resources

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for beekeeping activity. However, like any other livestock sector, this sub sector has been
seriously devastated by complicated constraints. the prevailing production constraints in the
beekeeping sub sector of the country would vary depending on the agro ecology of the areas
where the activities is carried out (Ayalew, 1994; Edessa, 2002).the major constraints that affect
beekeeping sub-sector in Ethiopia are: lack of beekeeping knowledge, shortage of skills man
power, shortage of bee equipments, pests and predators, pesticide threat, poor infrastructure
development, shortage of bee forage and lack of research extension (Kerealem, 2009).
[Gebretsadik et. al., Vol.4 (Iss.4): April, 2016] ISSN- 2350-0530(O) ISSN- 2394-3629(P) Impact
Factor: 2.532 (I2OR) Http://www.granthaalayah.com ©International Journal of Research -
GRANTHAALAYAH [49-63] Low productivity and quality of bee products are the major
economic impediments for beekeepers (Nuru, 1999). Depending on these realities, even though
apiculture resource is immense in the district, there is no research information regarding to honey
production potential, beekeeping constraints and the exits opportunities for future, in this districts
which is very essential to identify the potential development constraints. Therefore, Ethiopia has
huge potential for beekeeping production because of its endowment with diversity in climate and
vegetation resources offering potentially favorable conditions for beekeeping. These have
enabled Ethiopia to take around 23.58% and 2.13% of the total share of honey production on
African and on a global level respectively [1]. The exact number of people engaged in the honey
subsector in Ethiopia is not known. However, it is estimated that more than one million farm
households are involved in the beekeeping business using the traditional, intermediate, and frame
beehives [7]. It could also be observed that a large number of people (intermediaries and traders)
participate in honey collection and retailing (at village, district, and zonal levels), and thousands
of households are engaged in tej making in almost all urban areas, while also hundreds of
processors are emerging, and exporters are flourishing [6]. Generally, about 4,601,806 beehives
exist in Ethiopia, out of which about 95.5% are traditional, 4.3% transitional, and 0.2% frame
beehives [3]. Based on the national estimate, the average yield of pure honey from movable
frame beehive is 15–20 kg/year, and the amount of beeswax produced is 1–2% of the honey
yield [4]. However, in potential areas, up to 50–60 kg of harvest has been reported [3]. Despite
the high potentiality of the country for beekeeping and its extensive practices, beekeeping
research conducted in the nation so far has not managed to characterize and document the
apicultural resources and associated constraints of the sector for its proper intervention and
utilization to specific potential regions [5]. Success in beekeeping primarily results from the
utilization of improved beekeeping technologies that are suitable for local bee types and
conditions [2]. These conditions may generally indicate the importance of considering the
biology and ecology of the bees in the selection and adoption of technologies. Besides the
technological and biological factors, the socio-demographic conditions of beekeepers were
observed to play a significant role in the adoption of technologies. Thus, it was essential to assess
the beekeeping production system as a whole and identify the determinants of hive technology
preference and the major constraints of this subsector. According to the Central Statistics Agency
(2011/12), Oromia has the largest number of beehives followed by Amhara and SNNP. Jimma,

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Illubabor, and West Wellega were the areas of Oromia region with the highest number of hives
(CSA, 2011/12) [8]. Different case studies and researches are being carried out concerning
honey-bee production practices and honey-bee diseases and pests in different areas of the
country.

Honey production in Ethiopia has recently attracted the attention of various agencies because of
its potential to help revitalize the Ethiopian economy, reduce poverty, and conserve forests.
Ethiopia is believed to possess high potential in producing the honey. Ethiopia is currently
ranked as the largest honey producer in Africa and the third largest worldwide by producing
45,300 t of honey in 2010 (FAOSTAT, 2012). She is the country with the longest tradition of
honey production in the world; it is presumed that beekeeping in Ethiopia started about 5,000
years ago (Fichtl & Admasu, 1994). The honey produced in Ethiopia is expected to becom
e a major commodity for acquiring foreign currency to improve the Ethiopian economy.
Although Ethiopia does not have sufficient infrastructure for transporting and storing goods, the
long shelf life of honey makes it an attractive export for the country. The country already earns
an average of 420 million ETB(1) (35 million USD) annually from the sale of honey (Gidey &
Kibrom, 2010). This figure is expected to increase in the future (Paulos, 2011). Indeed, in which
gives Ethiopia an advantage over other major honey-exporting countries since most Ethiopian
honey is free of genetically modified plants as well as pesticides and other agrochemicals
(Hartmann, 2004).

Honey production is also expected to provide an opportunity for low-income farmers to

supplement their earnings. Honey production requires little investment, land, and labor, and
individuals can attain significant production levels. Unlike many other commodities, honey
products generate multiple market opportunities, and are also nutritious foods. In addition, the
process of production is not in competition with any other form of agriculture (Aravindakshan et
al., 2011; Gallmann & Thomas, 2012). Honey production is also considered a natural resource-
conserving and environmentally friendly activity (Gidey & Mekonen, 2010). The honey
production process does not require extra land. Instead of clearing forest, as many do to grow
crops, the local people need to maintain the forest to produce a substantial amount of honey.
Thus, honey production may also help conserve forests in Ethiopia, which lost 141,000 ha of
forest annually between 1996 and 2006 (FAO, 2007). Currently, the country has only 3% forest
coverage (JICA, 2008). As expectations for the honey production rise, many researchers have
been working all over Ethiopia, including southwest (e.g., Chala et al., 2012; Awraris et al.,
2012, Gallmann & Thomas, 2012), southeast (e.g., Solomon, 2009), central highland (e.g.,
Melaku et al., 2008; Workneh 2011), west (e.g., Mathewos et al., 2003), and north (e.g., Taddele
& Nejdan, 2008; Ejigu et al., 2009; Gidey & Kibrom, 2010; Gidey & Mekonen, 2010) to
document current praxis on honey production and point out constrains in order to improve the
productivity and efficiency of current production process. All researchers agree that although
Ethiopia has high potential in honey production, introduction and implementation of modern
apiculture knowledge and technology are highly needed. Some researchers even insist on

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“traditional methods need to be replaced by the improved and modern scientific methods for
better management” (Gidey & Mekonen, 2010: 85). However, some researchers report newly
introduced modern beehive has not been spread and utilized. Gidey & Mekonen (2010) report
that new modern beehive has not gained wide popularity. Also Gallmann & Thomas (2012)
reports that “a few years ago, NGO’s, together with the government, initiated the construction
and distribution of 150,000 frame hives. To this day, the legacy to this ambitious program could
not be seen in Ethiopian beekeeping. The hives simply disappeared” (Gallmann & Thomas,
2012: 10). I consider almost all previous researches emphasize too much on improving
productivity and efficiency of the honey production. Gidey & Mekonen (2010) explain a reason
behind unpopularity of newly introduced modern beehive as “high cost and lack of awareness”
(Gidey & Mekonen, 2010: 86) but I believe major reason behind the phenomenon is complete
disregard of the roles and relevance that the local people see in the local method of honey
production. This phenomenon reminds me of failure of afforestation project took place in late
1980s in northern Ethiopia. Matsumura (2005) analyzed the cause of failure was Local Honey
Production Activities and Their Significance for Local People 79 total neglect of pluralistic
values that society and local people give to trees while the project only cared the number and
total area of trees planted. It may be true that the probability of adoption of a new technology
depends on the difference in profitability between the new and old technologies and farmers’
recognition of the advantages and efficiency of the new technology as Gidey & Kibrom (2010)
emphasize; however, if local people find significance in inefficient process of the honey
production, then it would be difficult task to modernize the process. In worst case, the project
will be totally neglected or destroyed. I also see high potential in honey production in Ethiopia as
other researchers do but in order to improve the honey production, we must find out the roles and
relevance that local people see in their way of honey production and the honey they harvested.
Ethiopia is the largest and leading honey producer in Africa and tenth largest honey producer in
the world. Unlike many other commodities such as crop and livestock, honey products generate
multiple market opportunities, and are also nutritious foods. In addition, the production process
is not in competition with any other form of agriculture and it can be integrated positively
(Aravindakshan et al., 2011; Gallmann & Thomas, 2012).The same to that, honey production is
also considered as a natural resource conserving and environmentally friendly activity Gidey
Yirga and Mekonen Teferi (2010) through its plant pollination services. Thus, it should be one of
the most important intervention areas for sustainable development among poor countries like
Ethiopia (Gibbon, 2001). Based on the level of technological advancements, three types of
beehives (traditional, intermediate and frame hives) are used for honey production in Ethiopia.
Despite the long beekeeping tradition in Ethiopia, the highest bee density, being the leading
honey producer and one of the largest beeswax exporting countries in Africa, the share of the
sub-sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country has never been commensurate
with the huge resources and the country's potential for beekeeping. Productivity has always been
low, leading to higher domestic hive products utilization and relatively low export earnings.
With this, even if efforts are still on-going, most of the on-station based adaptive research works

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which were carried out for the last few decades couldn’t improve hive productivity and honey
production so far. However, even if Ada Berga district is believed to have diversified vegetation,
cultivated crops composition and considered as beekeeping potential, a detailed and
comprehensive research data on honey production systems, challenges and opportunities in the
area is not available so far (Workeneh Abebe, 2011) .

2 Literature review

2.1. Beehive technology as a factor affecting quality of

honey production
According to (Croft, 2007) beekeeping is the maintenance of honey bee colonies, commonly in
hives, by humans. There are many types of bee hives commonly used by bee keepers throughout
the world for honey production. They are all categorized as modern and traditional bee hives
(MORAD, 2008). (Croft, 2007) Stated that beekeeping is the maintenance of honey bee colonies,
commonly in hives, by humans. Low-technology hives have been developed as a way of
obtaining the advantages of movable frame hives (no need to break combs, standardization,
manageability, efficient honey harvest) without the disadvantage of high cost manufacture. The
container for the hive may, like traditional hives, be constructed from whatever materials are
locally available. Low-technology hives can be kept near home, and can, if constructed and
transported with care, be moved between crops as they flower successively (Global Development
Solutions, 2009). For modern hives the combs can be lifted from the hive and then replaced and
this allows the beekeeper to examine the condition of the colony without harming it.
Honeycombs can also be removed from the hive for harvesting without disturbing combs
containing brood. The colony is therefore not harmed and the bees can continue gathering honey
to replace that which has been harvested which ensures good quality honey can be harvested,
free of contaminating pollen or brood (Logan, 1990).

2.2. Harvesting and processing methods

Harvesting and processing methods in Ethiopia, the meeting of the factors necessary for the
implementation of beekeeping has allowed this activity to acquire an important place in
agricultural development programs since the agricultural revolution until today (Ruttner, 1988).
Different management, harvesting and processing techniques can influence the final quality of

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honey. Beekeepers harvest honey by cutting the combs which are then put in a container.
Processing Honey should be processed as soon as possible after removal from the hive. Honey
processing is a sticky operation, in which time and patience are required to achieve the best
results. Careful protection against contamination by ants and flying insects is needed at all stages
of processing. It is important to remember that, Honey is a food and it must therefore be handled
hygienically, and all equipment must be perfectly clean and that honey is hygroscopic and will
absorb moisture, therefore all honey processing equipment must be perfectly dry. Too much
water in honey causes it to ferment (Honey Care Africa, Beekeeping in Africa Honey Care
Agricultural Services Bulletin 68/6, 2010)

2.3. Influence of agrochemicals on honey quality

In Canada, USA, UK and Italy, honeybees were used to monitor environmental pollution, since
accumulations of certain metals and other substances could be measured in hive products, mostly
in pollen but also in honey (MP. & JP., 2007). All make the impact of current agriculture on the
environment a tremendously damaging one (Tillman et al., 2001). These insecticides, herbicides
and fungicides are applied to crops, but reach the bees through pollen, nectar, and through the
air, water or soil (Oliver, 2012). This occurs when bees are on the flowers at the time of
application of the insecticide, and the bees die instantly. Some other types of pesticides, allow
the bees to return home and then they die. Such types are easy to identify than the first ones.
There are certain pesticides that do not have any effect on the adult honey bees, but cause
damage to young, immature bees (Evans & Schwarz., 2011). Historically, insecticide sprays
were responsible for a number of fatal incidents with bees and also continuous contamination of
honey which leads to production of low quality honey (Oliver, 2012). Insecticides and herbicides
are now major problems to the beekeepers. Worker bees of all ages are susceptible to the effects
of pesticide exposure (Rotais , Arnold , Halm , & Touffet - Briens, 2005) but beeswax
contamination primarily affects the brood because of its direct contact with the brood cell wall.
The main reason for toxicity is grayanotoxins, also known as andromedotoxins. Organic
contaminants and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB’s), which originate from motor oil, coolants,
and lubricants, are still present in the environment and can contaminate bees and their products
(Carrié, George, & Wäckers, 2012).

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2.4. Influence of intensified farming practices on

the quality of honey

Intensification of agriculture prompts the loss and fragmentation of valuable natural to semi-
natural perennial habitats for bees, such as agro forestry systems, grasslands, old fields, shrub
lands, forests, and hedgerows. This is thought to be the major cause of decline in quantity of
honey produced and impacts on its quality (Brown & Paxton, 2009).

There may be periods when sufficient suitable pollen or nectar producing plants are not available
because grazing/mowing may occur before flowering (Honey Care, 2009). Intensification of
agriculture has been associated with significant losses of biodiversity on farmland (Aizen,
Garibaldi, Cunningham, & Klein, 2007). Industrial farming monocultures, and more generally
the lack of wild flower diversity within and around croplands, limit the amount of food that bees
have access to both in space and in time. Bees can go hungry as farming becomes more
intensified (Holmes, 2012). This has potentially damaging effects upon bees because they need
an optimum nutrient balance for support of their growth and reproduction (Vanbergen & The
Insect Pollinators Initiative, 2016). Urbanization and increasing agricultural intensification have
destroyed and fragmented many natural habitats (Vanbergen et al. 2013) Intensified farming
methods are driving the loss of valuable natural and semi-natural habitats on farms.

2.5. Honey bee Pests and Predators

There are several different beetles living in honey bee colonies. Most are harmless and feed on
pollen or honey. Weak colonies or storage combs are affected. This beetle lives and multiplies
within and outside bee colonies. The beetle deposits larger deposits of nests of eggs within a bee
colony, in fissures and recesses out of reach of the bees. The larvae of this beetle preferably live
on and in pollen and honeycombs. Larvae are whitish, often covered with a slimy sticky coating.
Larvae can be found mining in combsor in the debris. Wandering small hive beetles larvae often
leave smear trails inside and outside the colony (Bailey & Ball, 1991). Ants are among the most
common predators of honey bees in tropical and subtropical Asia. They are highly social insects
and will attack the hives en masse, taking virtually everything in them: dead or alive adult bees,
the brood and honey. In addition to this destruction, they can also be a nuisance to beekeepers
and may sometimes cause pain from their bites(Wallner K., 1995). Beekeeping in tropical

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climates frequently suffers from damage caused by amphibians: toads including Bufo
melanostictus and Kaloula pulchraand frogs including Rana limnocharis and Rana tigrina.

2.6. Conceptual Framework

2.7 Honey Bee Management Practices

For many farmers, beekeeping is one of their major activities in addition to livestock keeping and
agriculture. In beehive management (follow up, checking against enemy, cleaning the
environment, supplying additional feeding, watering and honey harvesting) bee keepers had
experience. Majority (53.8%) of the respondents inHadiya Zone southern Ethiopia inspect their
hives some times (Haftu and Gezu, 2014). This is in line withTessega (2009) reported that 46.7%
inspect rarely in Amhara region, However, 94% of beekeepers have daily followed and checked
their beehive against bee enemies in central Zone of Tigray (Haftu et al., 2015). Tesfayeand
Tesfaye (2007) reported 53.5% of beekeepers visit their bees every day while 30.2% of them
visit their bee sat every three days and the rest visit their bees to check if the hive was occupied
with bees and at least during honey harvesting seasons in Adami Tulu. About 60.2 % of the
interviewed beekeepers in Hadiya zone southern Ethiopia believe that visiting the apiary and
hive during rainy season causes diseases (Haftu and Gezu, 2014).

2.8 Adoption of Inputs and Technologies to

Improve Honey Bee Production
Improved box hives have been introduced and promoted in Ethiopia for the last 40 years yet
adoption rate is low(Kerealem et al., 2009). Modern beehives allow honeybee colony
management and use of a higher-level technology, with larger colonies and can give higher yield
and quality honey. Inputs and appropriate honey bee technologies can be local practices or be

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adopted from other countries. Generally, adoption of improved bee hive practices may involve
the transfer of appropriate new technologies and local experiences to be used in improving
productivity of honey bee. The pace of adopting new technologies by farmers can vary due to
controversial reasons. Beyene and Verschuur (2014) in south west shewa zone of Oromia
reported bee equipments such as modern bee hives, wax printers and honey extractors are very
expensive and thus farmers could not affordable to buy and use these equipments. Currently, the
cost of one modern bee hive ranges from 900-1000 Ethiopia birr, the cost of honey extractor is
ranges 4,000-5,000 Ethiopian birr and the cost of wax printer is ranges from 5,000-6,000 ETB.
This leads to shortage of appropriate technologies for production, collection, processing, packing
and storage. Improved bee equipments to the farmers are beyond their buying capacity, since
most of them are resource poor and thus they are unable to buy and use modern bee technologies
to improve honey yield. The high cost of modern bee hive discourages farmers from transferring
local hive to improved hive; therefore construction of modern bee hive using locally available
materials should be encouraged. Majority of respondents in the northern Ethiopian highlands had
modern beehive to enhance honey production and increase their income(Teferi et al., 2011).

2.9 Harvesting and Preservation of Honey Bee

Products

Teferi et al. (2011) indicated on average 33 and 16 kg of honey per hive was harvested from
modern and traditional hives in the northern Ethiopian highlands respectively. Honey production
is very low, only about an average of 8 to 15kg of honey could be harvested per hive per year but
in areas where improved technology has-been introduced, an average of 15 to 20 kg/hive/year
has been harvested (Beyene and David, 2007). Addis and Malede (2014) and Chala et al (2013)
reported that the average honey yield per year/colony was 7.20, 14.70 and23.38kg for traditional,
transitional and moveable frame hives, in around Gondar and in jimma zone, south-west Ethiopia
respectively. Haftu and Gezu, 2014 in Hadiya Zone of southern Ethiopia also indicated 3.04, 4.9
and8.2kg for traditional, transitional and moveable frame hives, respectively. Honey can be
harvested once or twice, while in some cases even three times in a year largely depending on the
availability of bee forage as reported by (Haftu and Gezu, 2014 in Hadiya Zone of southern
Ethiopia;Tessega, 2009 and Tesfa et al., 2013 in Western Amhara region). Haftu and Gezu
(2014) indicated even thought the majority (75%) of the households do not store honey primarily
because of high demand for cash but some farmers keep some amount for different purposes and
store using plastic containers, gourd, tin and clay pots until consumption or sale.. Beekeepers sell
the largest proportion of their honey during harvest at low price mainly to meet their demand for
cash for social obligations Beyene and Phillips (2007).

2.10 Honey Bee Products Demand and Consumptions

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The estimate of total honey production in Ethiopia in 2011 is about 40 million kilograms of
which the greater portion is harvested from traditional hives (CSA 2012). Recently, attempts
have been made to address problems associated with production and marketing of honey. About
13% (of 169,000 holders contacted) have practiced honey and wax development package
according to a survey by the same source. Currently, honey is produced in its crude form and
consumed domestically largely by Tej (honey wine). However, Crude honey could be processed
into several important marketable products. These products include purified honey, beeswax,
propels, pollen, bee venom, and royal jelly. But, only a few enterprises are engaged in the
processing of honey in Ethiopia and the processed products of those are limited to purified honey
and beeswax (Gallmann and Thomas,2012). Yetimwork et al. (2015) in eastern part of Tigray
declared that both in traditional and framed hive, honey production is increasing from time to
time. At present, supermarkets, grocery shops and hotels are some of the major buyers of
processed honey. According to the information obtained from supermarkets, the increasing expat
community is also expected to constitute significant consumption of the product. Though there is
no comprehensive consumption data for processed products in the country, an attempt has been
made to arrive at an estimate of present demand. Processed honey is considered to be a
commodity whose demand arises from urban population. According to CSA (2011), the
population is 82 million out of which 13.75 million is urban dwellers. On the other hand, the per
capital natural honey consumption is 60 grams. The apparent consumption of the product will
therefore be825, 000 kg (or 825 tons). Hence, this figure has been taken as the present domestic
effective demand (for year2012) for processed honey. Future domestic demand for processed
honey grows with the growth in urban population and income rise. Hence the, urban population
growth rate, that is 4 %, is applied in projecting the future demand.

2.11 Honeybee Flora and Dry Season Feeding

Some important local honeybee plants (trees, shrubs, herbs and cultivated crops are known as a
source of nectar and pollen in Ethiopia, namely Tebeb (Becium grandiflorum), Girbiya
(Hypoestes forskaolii), siwakerni (Leucasabyssinica), kiliow (Euclea schimperi), Awhi (Cordia
Africana), Bahirzaf (Eucalptus spp) Girawa (Vernoniaamygdalina), Wanza (Cordia africaca),
Wyira (Olea Africana), Meche (Guizotia scabra), dogma (Syzygiumguineese), Bisana (Croton
machrostachyus) and, beles (Opuntia ficus-indica) identified as the major bee foragein different
parts of the country (Yetimwork et al., 2015 in eastern part of Tigray; Haftom et al., 2013
inDebrekidan and Begasheka Watersheds of Tigray; Haftu and Gezu, 2014 in Hadiya zone of
southern Ethiopia).According to Tesfa et al. (2013) reported in Western Amhara region
beekeepers supplement sugar syrup, hot pepper, roasted pea flour, water, honey syrup , roasted
bean flour, and roasted barley flour during dearth period. Yetimwork et al. (2015) reported
Supplementary feeding and migratory beekeeping practices to overcome the feed shortage at the
dry season is a common practice. Majority of the beekeepers provide besso (roasted and
grounded barley flour), shiro (roasted spiced pulses flour), sugar syrup and honey with water
mainly from February to May in eastern part of Tigray.

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10.12 Poisonous Plants and Honeybee Poisoning

Plants like akacha (Acacia saligna), qnchb (Euphorbia species);limo or false neem (Melia
azedarach) and neem (Azadirachta indica) are identified as poisons plants(Yetimwork et al.,
2015 in eastern part of Tigray). According to Chala et al. (2012) report nectar or pollen of
poisonous plants are toxic to the bees themselves and those in which the honey produced from
their nectar are toxic to humans. In Ethiopia use of applications of agrochemicals (chemicals) for
crop protection is another reason to cause for the death of honeybee especially if they are applied
while the crop is in bloom (Tessega,2009).

2.13 Constraint of Honey Bee Production

The most important constraints present in Ethiopia were bee forage, pests and predators,
beekeeping equipments, absconding, honeybee colony, pesticides and herbicides, death of
colony, water shortage, honey storage materials and swarming (Yetimwork et al., 2015 in eastern
Zone of Tigray; Haftu and Gezu, 2014 in Hadya Zone of southern Ethiopia). Similarly, Kerealem
et al. (2009) declared that the major constraints that affect beekeeping sub-sector in Ethiopia are:
lack of beekeeping knowledge, shortage of skills man power, shortage of bee equipments, pests
and predators, pesticide threat, poor infrastructure development, shortage of bee forageand lack
of research extension. A study conducted by Tesfaye and Tesfaye (2007), on honey production
system in Adami Tulu to identify opportunities and threats on beekeeping and the results shows
that most of the respondents (beekeepers) do not visit their bees regularly. Farmers did not have
any type of beekeeping equipments and did not bother about their colonies while harvesting. The
place where beekeepers put their beehives also considered as the major constraints. According to
the beekeepers of Tigray Region, the critical constraints and problems affecting honey
production include inadequate production technologies, limited availability of bee flora mainly
due to deforestation, lack of beekeeping knowledge/skill, and marketing accessibility. And
farmer’s access to trainings is generally poor (Gidey and Mekonen, 2008).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 measure.

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DEBREMARKOS UNIVERSITY

2.14 Prospects of Honey Bee Production

The honey sector is one of the few sectors that had the most inclusive ability to achieve
transformation and growth across all categories of rural households through increasing the
income of the rural people. This is because of its large resource base and low barriers to entry
(Paulos and Desalgne, 2012). Apiculture is a powerful way of tackling poverty at the grassroots
level. Beekeeping could be a useful avenue for improving rural economy. Beekeeping should be
considered as a great source of employment creation for the rural people to reduce poverty. The
honey sub sector should be among the top priority for food security and poverty reduction
programs in the country. Availability of natural forest, availability of water resources, Low
barriers or ease entrance to the sector (this is because beekeeping activity need not require wide
area of land as other activities of agriculture) consider as major prospect of the sector
(Dayanandan, 2015). Basically, the country’s policy for agriculture and rural development can be
the first prospect to improve any agricultural sub sectors. Agriculture led industrialization policy
creates the fertile ground for the development of the sector. This is general opportunity to
develop beekeeping sector all over the country but there is specific opportunities from the region
to region (Dayanandan, 2015). Therefore, these opportunities create favorable condition for this
sub sector in the country.

3 METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION

The interview was conducted with the selected respondents to generate the relevant data by using
structured questionnaire survey and check list. Visual observation of the apiary management and
Beekeeping trend was also part of data collection.
Data essential to the study were collected from secondary sources, undertaking group
discussions and field observation. The secondary data necessary for the investigation were
collected from organizations and different web sites. Focus group discussions were conducted in
the study area with purposively selected community representatives such as: elders are having
rich indigenous knowledge in beekeeping,

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DEBREMARKOS UNIVERSITY

4 CONCLUSIONS
Despite the long tradition of beekeeping in Ethiopia, having the highest bee density and being the
leading honey producer as well as one of the largest beeswax exporting countries in Africa, the
products obtained from the subsector were still low as compared to the potential of the country.
Like all living animals, honey bees were attacked with disease, parasites, pests, Pesticides &
herbicides application, shortage of bee forage and predators endangering their health and life.
These impose honey bees to serious problem on honey bee production and productivity. Honey
bee colony number is increases year after year due to the high demand for their products.
Generally the country had good potential of honey production with increasing trend of
expansion. The honey sector is one of the few sectors that had the most inclusive ability to
achieve transformation and growth across all categories of rural households through increasing
the income of the rural people. This is because of its large resource base and low barriers to
entry. However, improving honey bee production techniques is important for sustainable
beekeeping practice in the country. Basically, the country’s policy for agriculture and rural
development can be the first prospect to improve any agricultural sub sectors. Agriculture led
industrialization policy creates the fertile ground for the development of the sector. This is
general prospect to develop beekeeping sector all over the country but there is specific
opportunities from the region to region. Therefore, these opportunities create favorable condition
for this sub sector in the country. The study showed that the various agricultural practices stated
had diverse effects on both the bees and the quality of honey produced. Finally, it was the
common types of pests and rodents stated by farmers are ants, mites and beetles and that pests
and predators lower the quality of honey by eating the honey and pollen while others take lumps
of soil and their droppings in the hives which lowers the quality of honey greatly.
Honey production in the study area has been faced with multiple constraints (the effect of agro
chemicals
Application on crops, pest and predators, bee disease, absconding, shortage of bee forage,
shortage of water, absence of market center, ) but study area has a lot of opportunities

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DEBREMARKOS UNIVERSITY

(availability of bee flora, honeybee resource, attention and focus from the government and non-
government.

5 RECOMMENDATIONS
From this study the following recommendations can be prepared for the present and
future works in apiculture sub sector in the study area.
 To spray applications such as pesticides especially on crops, it is first important to
evaluate the time of application in such a way that it does not have an effect on the bees.
 The effect of wax moth is difficult to control by beekeepers hence, the method which is
approved for this pest is that all hives which have wax moth are removing and melted the
infested comb and making the new foundation sheet should be addressed and supported
by government and non-government.

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DEBREMARKOS UNIVERSITY

6 ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I am highly grateful to the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) for sponsoring of
this project. We extend our gratitude to debrewerk district agricultural office workers for their
cooperation and assistance during the study. I would also like to thank the beekeepers of the
study area, who shared their knowledge and invaluable cooperation throughout the study period.
I would like to say thanks for different web sites authors.

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DEBREMARKOS UNIVERSITY

7 REFERENCES
[1] Workneh, A., Puskur, R. (2011), Beekeeping sub sector challenges and constraints in
Atsbi Wemberta District of Eastern Zone, Tigray Region, Ethiopia. Journal of
Agriculture Extension and Rural Development 3(1), 8–12

[2] Hepburn, H. R., Radloff, S. E. (1998), Honeybees of Africa. Springer, Germany.

[3] HBRC (Holeta Bee Research Center) (1997), Beekeeping training manual
(unpublished). HBRC, Holeta, Ethiopia.

[4] Gezahegne, T. (2001), Beekeeping (in Amaharic). Mega Printer Enterprise, Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia.

[5] Chala, K., Taye, T., Kebede, D., Tadele, T. (2012), Opportunities and challenges of
honey production in Gomma District of Ethiopia. International Conference on Bridge
Scales and Epistemologies 1, Alexandria
[6] Beyene, T., David P. (2007), Ensuring small-scale producers in Ethiopia to achieve
sustainable and fair access to honey markets. Paper prepared for international development
enterprises (IDE) and Ethiopian society for appropriate technology
(ESAT), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

[7] Gidey, Y., Mekonen, T. (2010), Participatory technology and constraints assessment
to improve the livelihood of beekeepers in Tigray Region, northern Ethiopia. Momona
Ethiopia Journal of Science 2(1).

[8] CSA (2012), Agricultural sample survey 2011/2012 on livestock and livestock
characteristics. Central Statistics Authority. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

[9] Http://www.granthaalayah.com ©International Journal of Research

[10] Etenesh Mekonnen ,Abebe Jenberie ,Yeshambel Mekuriaw and

Abule Ebiro Agricultural Research Center; Oromia Region ,College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University

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