Research Article ISSN: 2574 -1241 DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2020.29.004779 The Challenges and Opportunities of Honey Production Systems in Jimma Horro District Kellem Wollega Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia Soresa Shuma1* and Negasu Gamachu Dinsa2 1Dambi Dollo University, Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Ethiopia 2Oromia Agricultural Research Institute (IQQO), Haro Sabu Agricultural Research Centre, Ethiopia *Corresponding author: Soresa Shuma, Dambi Dollo University Ethiopia, Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Ethiopia ARTICLE INFO AbsTRACT Received: July 25, 2020 The study was designed to identify the challenges and opportunities of honey production systems in the study area. Three peasant associations (PAs), namely Gile, Published: August 04, 2020 Tibe and Kaba Sayo of Jimma Horro District PAs was selected based on variations in agro-ecology (high land, mid land and low land).Beekeepers in the study are challenged by several honey production Constraints. Such constraints are Honeybee Citation: Soresa Shuma, Negasu Gamachu pest and predators, misuse of pesticides and herbicides, honeybee diseases, colony Dinsa. The Challenges and Opportunities of absconding and shortage of bee forages. Some of the opportunities associated with Honey Production Systems in Jimma Horro District Kellem Wollega Zone, Oromia, resource, increasing hive products’ demand and Increasing attention and focus from Ethiopia. Biomed J Sci & Tech Res 29(2)- the government.study area are Availability of honeybee floral resources, Availability of honeybee 2020. BJSTR. MS.ID.004779. Keywords: Honey Production; Bee Forage; Challenges; Diseases Introduction the most important intervention areas for sustainable development Beekeeping or apiculture entails the rearing or keeping of among poor countries like Ethiopia [4]. bees with the aim of exploiting its products (such as honey, pollen grain, propolis, and brood) (Onwumere et al). Whereas, Belets Based on the level of technological advancements, three types Gebremich and Berhanu Gebremedhin reported that apiculture is of beehives (traditional, intermediate and frame hives) are used a promising off farm enterprise, directly and indirectly contributes for honey production in Ethiopia. Despite the long beekeeping to smallholders’ income in particular and nation’s economy tradition in Ethiopia, the highest bee density, being the leading in general. In addition, Takele Gina [1] reports indicated that honey producer and one of the largest beeswax exporting countries Ethiopia is one of the countries in the continent that has the largest in Africa, the share of the sub-sector to the Gross Domestic Product honeybee population and owns a big honey production potential (GDP) of the country has never been commensurate with the huge resources and the country’s potential for beekeeping. Productivity the largest and leading honey producer in Africa and tenth largest has always been low, leading to higher domestic hive products in its varied ecological and climatic zones. Specifically, Ethiopia is honey producer in the world. Unlike many other commodities utilization and relatively low export earnings. With this, even if such as crop and livestock, honey products generate multiple efforts are still on-going, most of the on-station based adaptive market opportunities, and are also nutritious foods. In addition, research works which were carried out for the last few decades the production process is not in competition with another form of couldn’t improve hive productivity and honey production so far. agriculture and it can be integrated positively (Aravindakshan et al) [2].The same to that, honey production is also considered as a vegetation, cultivated crops composition and considered as However, even if Jimma Horro District is believed to have diversified natural resource conserving and environmentally friendly activity beekeeping potential, a detailed and comprehensive research data [3] through its plant pollination services. Thus, it should be one of on honey production systems, challenges and opportunities in the Copyright@ Soresa Shuma | Biomed J Sci & Tech Res | BJSTR. MS.ID.004778. 22314 Volume 29- Issue 2 DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2020.29.004779 area is not available so far [5] .Therefore, this study was conducted farmers in particular and the country in general still could not to give an insight into the honey production potential constraints harvest honey to the required amount which in turn income from and opportunities in Jimma Horro District, Oromia region, Ethiopia. this sector to the producer, trader and the country is generally low in honey. In general, it believes that there are different honey Beekeeping by its nature doesn’t need huge investment production challenges which couldn’t enable the beekeepers to maximize beekeeping outputs. This work, therefore, had tried knowledge. Beekeeping strengths and supports the rural (financial asset), large size of land and complicated technical to magnify and suggest possible solutions against production community livelihoods to become less vulnerable to different shocks and avert risks. However, the individual poor beekeeping to product maximization in the study area [6]. constraints and identified some major challenges that are obstacles Materials and Methods Study Area Figure 1: Map of study Area The study was conducted from September 2018 to December 12500 donkeys, 7225 Horses 26650 sheep, 20166 goats and 98271 species of poultry. The farmers in the area practice mixed farming and Abono) of Jimma Horro district, Kellem Wollega Zone in (Figure 1). 2019 in three selected peasant associations (Tonfi Cari, Ilu Kitaye Western Ethiopia. This district is bounded by Begi district in North, Method of Data Collection Gawo Kebe district in East, Yamalogi Wolel district in South and Gidami district in West. The area is located at about 665km west Data essential to the study were collected from secondary of Addis Ababa. The area is located at an elevation of 1400-1830m observation. above sea level. The Topography of this district is characterized by sources, undertaking group discussions and formal survey and field Forest of Wolel Mountain and Dati Wolel Park. The main river in Secondary Data this district is Supe, Burar and Kumbabe. The climatic condition The secondary data necessary for the investigation were alternates with long summer rain fall (June to September), short collected from organizations and PA administrations. rainy season (March to May) and winter dry season (December to February). The minimum and maximum annual rain fall and Focus Group Discussions daily temperature range from 800 to 1200mm and 15 to 25oc, Focus group discussions were conducted in the study area with respectively. Jimma Horro district is characterized by Dega (19.7%), purposively selected community representatives such as: elders are Woyna dega (48.5%) and Kola (31.8%). Livestock population in having rich indigenous knowledge in beekeeping, PA leaders, DAs, area is estimated to be about 91671 heads of cattle, 300 mules, Copyright@ Soresa Shuma | Biomed J Sci & Tech Res | BJSTR. MS.ID.004779. 22315 Volume 29- Issue 2 DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2020.29.004779 bee experts and women representatives. In order to gain a greater had an average experience of 15.4 years ranges from 1 to 30 years insight into the topics during the formal survey and to validate (Table 1). or check the data collected. Each of the focus group discussion The level of beekeepers’ experience was taken to be the number consisted of 10 to 21 individuals and 3 group discussions were of years that an individual was continuously engaged in beekeeping. undertaken in the study area (one in each altitude zone). This is what one would expect in a situation where people are Formal Survey actively engaged starting from an early age in helping older beekeepers to undertake basic asks. Based on this exposure, young A formal survey was conducted using structured questionnaire, people gradually move on to become independent beekeepers as with open-ended and closed-ended questionnaires with the help soon as they obtain their own hives (Gichora, 2003). They continue of trained enumerators. Potential, challenges and opportunities accumulating experience by seeking technical advice from fellow of beekeeping in the area: harvesting time, dearth period and beekeepers whenever necessary. The mean age of the respondents amount of honey harvested, honey storage facilities, honey selling were (40years) ranging from 26 to 49years (Table 2). This result showed that beekeeping can be performed by economically active plants, water resources availability, honeybee pests and predators, situation, potential honeybee plants and flowering time, poisonous age groups and in most cases people at younger and old age is herbicides, insecticides and other chemicals applications have been actively engaged in beekeeping activities. Of the total households collected. interviewed, 93.8 % are married while 5%, 1.2% are single, Data Analysis divorced, respectively. With regard to religion, all of the household The statistical analysis used in the study varied depending on respondents 50.7, 27.1, 22.2) are Protestant, Orthodox and Muslim the type of variables and information required. Descriptive statistics respectively. Based on the results of this study, people regardless of such as means, standard deviation, frequency and percentages their marital status undertake beekeeping activities in the district was used to analyze the quantitative data using SPSS version 23 (Table 3).