The Challenges and Opportunities of Honey Production Systems in Ada Berga District,West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was designed to identify the challenges and opportunities of honey production systems in the study area. Four peasant associations (PAs), namely, sire Berga, Gatira Nabe, Haro Boro and Sambaro Sago of Ada Berga District PAs was selected based on variations in agro-ecology (high land, mid land and low land). Beekeepers in the study area and the country as well are challenged by several honey production Constraints. Such constraints are; Honey bee pest and predators, misuse of pesticides and herbicides, honey bee diseases, colony absconding and shortage of bee forages. Some of the opportunities associated with the study area are; Availability of honeybee floral resources, Availability of honeybee resource, Increasing hive products’ demand and Increasing attention and focus from the government.

Keywords: Ada Berga, honey production, bee forage, Challenges, diseases