Analysis of honey production systems in three agro-ecologies of Benishangul-Gumuz, Western Ethiopia

The study was conducted in three districts of Benishangulgumuz Regional State, Western Ethiopia, to characterize honey production systems, identify major constraints limiting honey production and suggest the required development intervention options for future development. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the districts that represent the three agro-ecologies of the region. A total of 120 beekeeping households were selected and individually interviewed in their respective farms using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Stratified sampling technique was used to select the households. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and one-way ANOVA of SPSS software. The results revealed that the number of bee colonies per household were not different across the districts. Honey yield from traditional and transitional hives varied across the districts, but not from modern hive. Beekeeping sector of the areas is constrained by high cost and limited availability of modern beekeeping equipments and accessories, inferior quality of honey, honeybee enemies, inadequate research and extension services, and shortage of skilled human power. Thus, to benefit beekeepers from the sector, alleviating the prevailing constraints and exploiting the available opportunities is important.   Key words: Honey production, Benishangulgumuz, reproductive swarming, migration, beekeeping constraints.