Adopting improved box hive in Atsbi Wemberta District of eastern zone, Tigray region: determinants and financial benefits

Abstract

Though beekeeping is a common farming enterprise and income generating activity in Atsbi Wemberta Woreda, and promotional efforts have been made to improve it, no systematic study has been undertaken to evaluate the promotional efforts and people's response to it. The objectives of this study were to identify determinants of improved box hive adoption by the beekeepers; and to analyse financial benefits from adopting improved box hive technology in Atsbi Wemberta district of Eastern Zone, Tigray Region of Ethiopia. Stratified sampling technique was employed to identify the sample respondents, who were categorized into adopters and non-adopters of improved box hive. Based on probability proportional to size, 45 adopters and 85 non-adopters were selected. The data were collected using structured interview schedule, group discussion, key informant discussion and observation; and were analysed using descriptive statistics, partial budgeting, and logit model. Partial budgeting revealed that the net benefit from improved box hives was more than double that obtained from traditional hive. The logit model revealed that credit, knowledge, education level of household head, perception and visits to demonstrations positively and significantly influenced adoption of improved box hive. Major problems for promoting improved beekeeping practices were identified in the study area. Ranking showed that drought, honeybee pests and diseases, lack of beekeeping materials, death of colony, lack of adequate extension support, marketing problem, shortage of bee forage, lack of adequate beekeeping skill and reduction of honeybee colonies were the major constraints in the beekeeping development in their order of importance. There is a need for actors to come together for concerted and coordinated action to address the constraints and problems, as the solutions are not in the domain of any one actor. Women and landless youths can be encouraged to take up this income generating enterprise. Developing the skills of beekeepers and extension agents on bee management and utilization of beeswax through intensive training, enhancing bee forage production and utilization, integrating beekeeping with water harvesting, modifying the improved box hive to include only one super to reduce initial cost, linking honey producers to stable and reliable markets and following a participatory value chain based approach, promoting private entrepreneurs to provide additional services for value addition, promoting farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing, and encouraging farmer groups to enhance bargaining power and create a learning environment are some initiatives that could go a long way in the sustainable development of this important economic subsector.