Honey Bee Colony Absconding and Associated Risk Factors Facing Beekeepers in Bure Zuria Woreda, North Western Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia, beekeeping is based on traditional hives which accounts for more than 95.5% of the hive types while transitional and frame beehives are about 4.3% and 0.2% respectively. The aim of this study was to assess honeybee colony absconding from traditional hives and associated risk factors in Bure Zuria Woreda, north western Ethiopia. A total of 50 beekeepers were selected randomly for a longitudinal apiary inspection survey to determine honey bee colonies owned by the beekeepers and pattern of honey bee colony absconding. However, a questionnaire was prepared and administered to all the beekeepers to assess the risk factors. Pearson chi-square (χ2) was used to test association of risk factors for beekeeping at p-value < 0.05. Results showed that the overall number of honeybee colony positive hives owned by the beekeepers in the Kebele was 52 (81.3%) whereas the overall colony negative hives was 12 (18.7%). The number of bee colony absconding hives rose in February (17.2%) and peaked in April (23.4%) with sharp decline thereafter. Whereas the number of colony owning hives rose in October and peaked in December (96.81%) than the rest of the inspection months. Pesticide and herbicide application, inadequate skill of beekeepers and deforestation were reported as the top risk factors associated with bee colony absconding in the study area. Therefore intervention to change traditional beekeeping practices through training and introducing improved beekeeping technologies that are suitable for local beekeepers are needed for mitigation of colony absconding and enhancing apiculture productivity and production in the study area.

Keywords: Beekeeper, Colony absconding, traditional hives, Wehni Durbete Kebele.

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-22-02

Publication date: November 30^th 2020