University of Gondar department of Animal sciences and veterinary Medicine

1. UNIVERSITY OF GONDAR
COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AND ANIMAL SCIENCES
DEPERTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
COURSE TITLE: SENOIR SEMINAR (ANPR524)
SEMESTER: TWO
INSTRUCTOR-ASCHALEW ASSEFA (Asso.Prof)
TITLE: CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES AND PROSPECTS OF HONEYBEE
PRODUCTION IN ETHIOPIA
BY
ATIKILT HAILE: ID NO. GUR/00360/15
SUBMISSION DATE: 8/JULY/2023
JULY, 2023
GONDAR, ETHIOPIA

2. i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my advisor Addis Getu (Ass.prof) for his
advice, intellectual guidance and constructive comments, suggestions and feedbacks.
I would also like to express my gratitude to University of Gondar in general and College
of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (CVMAS) in particular for making all
needed necessary support for the whole time.

3. ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................. i
LIST OF FIGURES....................................................................................................... iv
LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................ iv
SUMMARY .................................................................................................................. vi
1. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................1
1.1. Objective...............................................................................................................2
1.1.1. General objective………………………………………………………………2
1.1.2. Specific objectives……………………………………………………………..2
1. 1.3. Seminar questions…………………………………………………………….2
2. LITRATURE REVIEW...............................................................................................3
2.1. Overview of Beekeeping in Ethiopia.........................................................................3
2.2. Beekeeping practices in Ethiopia...........................................................................4
2.2.1. Traditional beekeeping practices………………………………………...…….4
2.2.2. Transitional beekeeping practices……………………………………………..5
2.2.3. Modern beekeeping practices…………………………….……………………5
2.3. Economic Importance of Beekeeping in Ethiopia ..................................................6
2.3.1. Honey production………………………………………………………….…..6
2.3.2. Beeswax production……………………………..…………………………….8
2.3.3. Crop pollination and environmental protection……………………………..…9
2.3.4. Source of immediate cash income……………………………………………..9
2.3.5. Job opportunities……………………………….…………………………….10
2.4. Major challenges of Beekeeping in Ethiopia........................................................10
2.4.1. Honeybee pests, predators and disease…………………………………...…..10
2.4.2. Shortage of bee forage………………………………….…………………….11
2.4.3. Marketing problems…………………………………………………………..11
2.4.4. Low level of technology used………………………………………………...11
2.4.5. Lack of financial resources………………………………………………….12

4. iii
2.4.6. Poor harvesting and handling practices………………………………………12
2.4.7. Shortage of bee colony…………………………………….…………………12
2.4.8. Limited technical capacity……………………………………...…………….13
2.4.9. Improper application of agrochemicals………………………………………13
2.4.10. Absconding and migration…………………………………………………..13
2.4.11. Lack of skilled manpower and training institutions…………………….…..13
2.4.12. Inadequate government support……………………………………………..14
2.5. Major Opportunities of Beekeeping in Ethiopia .................................................15
2.5.1. Agro-ecological conditions and flowering plants……………………...……..15
2.5.2. Existence of strong bee colonies…………………………………..…………15
2.5.3. Demand for the bee products and honeybee……………………………...…..15
2.5.4. Presence of indigenous knowledge and skills………………………………..16
2.5.5. Presence of supporting organizations……………………………...…………16
2.5.6. Government efforts towards sector development………………………...…..16
2.6. Prospects of Honeybee Production ......................................................................18
3. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ..........................................................19
3.1. Conclusion ..........................................................................................................19
3.2. Recommendation.................................................................................................19
4. REFERENCES..........................................................................................................20

5. iv
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Ethiopian honey production in different years (CSA, 2019) ..............................7
Figure 2: top ten honey producing countries in the world (FAO, 2020) ............................8
Figure 3: top ten beeswax producing countries in the world (FAO, 2020). .......................8
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 number of beehives, honey production and frequency of harvesting per year in
Ethiopia (CSA, 2019) ......................................................................................................7
Table 2 major beekeeping challenges which is identified in different parts of Ethiopia ..14
Table 3 major beekeeping opportunities identified in different parts of Ethiopia ............17

6. v
ABBREVIATIONS
CSA Central Statistical Agency
EBA Ethiopian Beekeepers Association
EIAR Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research
ESAT Ethiopian Society for Appropriate Technology
ETB Ethiopian Birr
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GOs Governmental Organizations
HBRC Holeta Bee Research Center
IDE International Development Enterprise
Kg Kilogram
KTBH Kenya Top Bar Hives
Mt Metric tones
NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations
OXFAM Oxford Committee for Famine Relief
SNNP Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia
TTBH Tanzania Top Bar Hives
USD United State Dollar

7. vi
SUMMARY
Ethiopia has huge apicultural assets that made it one of the countries with a large
honey and beeswax producing potential in Africa. Beekeeping contributes 1.3% of
agricultural GDP and plays an important role in increasing and diversifying the income
of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, especially those who have small plots of land and
landless. Currently, there are three techniques of honey production systems in Ethiopia
namely, traditional (forest and backyard), transitional, and modern (frame). Ethiopia has
the largest bee population in Africa with more than 10 million bee colonies, of which
roughly 7 million kept in beehives by farmers and the rest residing in the forests as wild
colonies. Ethiopia really has greater potential to honey and beeswax production. The
country has the potential to produce up to 500,000 tons of honey and 50,000 tons of
beeswax annually. But currently, the production is restricted to 53,000 to 58,000 tons of
honey and less than 6000 tons of beeswax, which is not more than 10% of the potential
and the commercialization of other high value bee products such as pollen, propolis and
bee venom is not yet practiced at a marketable volume, even not yet recognized. Ethiopia
stands ninth in the world and first in Africa in honey production and first in Africa and
second in the world in beeswax production. It has been revealed that the opportunities
for beekeeping are the existence and abundance of honeybee, availability of potential
natural forest with adequate apiculture flora, ample sources of water for bees,
beekeepers' experience, and socio-economic value of honey and demand for honeybee
products. But still the country is facing with many challenges of beekeeping such as poor
harvesting practice, honey bee diseases, bee pests/predators, market problems,
inappropriate use of agro-chemicals, lack of credit service for the beekeeping sector,
high cost and limited availability of modern beekeeping equipment’s and accessories and
several other technical problems. So this seminar focuses on the challenges,
opportunities and prospects of honeybee production in Ethiopia.
Key words: Beekeeping, Honey and beeswax, challenges, potentials, Ethiopia.

8. 1
1. INTRODUCTION
Beekeeping is a keeping of honey bee with a very long history and deep rooted household
activity in Ethiopia. Owing to its varied ecological and climatic conditions, Ethiopia is
the home of diverse flora and fauna in Africa (Sahle, Enbiyale et al. 2018). Due to its
wide climatic and edaphic variability, Ethiopia is endowed with diverse and unique
flowering plants of 6000 to 7000 species and over 800 are identified honey bee forages,
thus making it ideal for beekeeping (Teklay 2011, Tulu, Aleme et al. 2023).
Approximately 10 million honeybee colonies (95.9% traditional, 1.47% transitional, and
2.63% frame hives) are there in the country, with roughly 7 million kept in beehives by
farmers and the rest living in the forests as wild colonies (Ababor and Tekle, 2018).
Currently one out of ten rural households keep honeybees and the activity make a
substantial contribution to rural income generation (Sahle, Enbiyale et al. 2018). Because
of its large number of colonies, it is Africa’s biggest honey and beeswax producer.
Ethiopia is fourth largest country in the world in terms of beehive population, behind
India, China and Turkey. It also stands ninth in the world and first in Africa in honey
production and first in Africa and second in the world in beeswax production (FAO,
2020). The country has the potential to produce 500,000 tons of honey and 50,000 tons of
beeswax per year (Nega and Eshete 2018).
According to (CSA, 2019) reports that the current production is estimated to be 58,000
tons however, (FAO (2017) data shows, honey and beeswax output reached 57,782 and
5,742 tons respectively. Ethiopia honey production accounts for approximately 2.4% of
world production, and 24% of African honey production (Fenet and Alemayehu, 2016).
Beekeeping is considered as one of the income-generating activities for resource-poor
farmers including women, youth and the unemployed sectors of the community
(Gebretsadik and Negash 2016). According to (Goshme and Ayele 2020; Gratzer,
Wakjira et al., 2021) beekeeping plays an important role in livelihoods of rural people,
as it increases economy without changing environmental balance. It is a source of off-
farm income to farmers. It provides not only direct job opportunities, cash income and

9. 2
food in the rural areas, but also assists the increased agricultural production of various
crops through pollination effect of honey bees. As very little space is needed, beekeeping
is ideal for people who have no land, little space and money.
Even though, the country has favorable environmental conditions for beekeeping, there
are significant challenges that impede and keep this sector from realizing its potential for
honey and beeswax production, earning foreign exchange, and providing income to
smallholder beekeepers. As a result, there is a need to assess the challenges,
opportunities, and prospects of honey production to harbor this sector to reach its full
potential in the country.
1.1. Objective
1.1.1. General objective
The overall objective of this seminar is to assess the challenges, opportunities and
prospects of honeybee production in Ethiopia.
1.1.2. Specific objectives
 To identify the basic emerging challenges that hinder honey bee productivity.
 To identify the opportunities that promotes honey bee production in Ethiopia.
 To look prospects of honey bee production in the Country.
1. 1.3. Seminar questions
 What are the major challenges and opportunities of honeybee production in
Ethiopia?
 What are the future prospects for honeybee production in Ethiopia?

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2. LITRATURE REVIEW
2.1. Overview of Beekeeping in Ethiopia
Beekeeping is an ancient tradition in Ethiopia, stretching back into the country’s early
history between 3500 and 3000 B.C. According to some history books, collecting and
selling honey and other bee products produced in homes and home gardens are common
throughout the country (Giday and Kibrom, 2010). Off all the countries in the world; probably
no country has a longer tradition of beekeeping than Ethiopia (Yetimwork et al, 2015).
Ethiopia is a home to some of the most diverse flora and fauna in Africa that provide
surplus nectar and pollen source to foraging bee colonies (Gebretsadik and Negash 2016).
Generally, as reported by (Etenesh, (2016) the use of honey as food and medicine and
that of wax for candle lighting in churches has a long history in Ethiopia.
The dominant type of beekeeping is traditional forest and backyard (95.9%), followed by
transitional beehives (1.47%) and modern beehives (2.63%). Variations in agro-ecology
and the presence of rich biodiversity favor the existence of diverse honeybee flora and
large numbers of honeybee colonies in almost all regions of Ethiopia (CSA, 2019).
Ethiopia is a leading honey producer in Africa with a total of around 24% of total
production in the continent and one of the ten largest honey producing countries by
contributing roughly 2.4% of total honey production in the world. Moreover, the country
is 1st
in bee colony in Africa and the 4th
bee wax producer in the world (Fenet and
Alemayehu, 2016).
Despite its long history of being practiced, beekeeping in Ethiopia is still an undeveloped
sector of agriculture. More than 95 percent of Ethiopia’s honey is still produced using
traditional hives. The knowledge and skill of honey and beeswax production of Ethiopian
farmers is still very traditional and the benefit from this economic activity to the farmers,
traders, exporters and even for the national economy is relatively low (Seid and Solomon,
2015).

11. 4
2.2. Beekeeping practices in Ethiopia
Ethiopia is blessed with plenty of water resources and varies of honeybee floras,
which make productive ground for the development of beekeeping. In areas where
wild colonies of bees living in hollow trees and caves are found, honey hunting is
still a common practice in Ethiopia. Honey hunting and beekeeping have been
practiced in the country for the exploitation of honey (Belie, 2009). Currently, in
Ethiopia beekeeping is practiced using three types of hive systems based on the
level of technological advancement; namely, traditional (forest and backyard),
transitional (intermediate) and modern (frame beehive) systems (Teferi, 2018).
According to Bihonegn, (2017), the current on-farm yields do not exceed 5 kg, 15
kg and 20 kg, respectively, however having a respective potential annual yield of
10 kg, 40 kg and 60 kg per hive.
2.2.1. Traditional beekeeping practices
In Ethiopia, traditional beekeeping is the oldest practice, which has been carried
out by the people for thousands of years (Sebsib and Yibrah, 2018). About 10
million bee colonies are managed with the same old traditional methods in almost
all parts of the country (Belie, 2009). Beekeepers those are knowledgeable and skilled
in using these hives which is made of locally available materials such as tree logs,
bamboo, woven grasses, and other natural elements (Mohammed and Hassen, 2021).
Traditional beekeeping is of two types: forest beekeeping and backyard
beekeeping. In some places, especially in the western and southern parts of the
country, forest beekeeping by hanging a number of traditional hives on trees is
widely practiced. It is practiced by traditionally constructed hive. But it is not
convenient for simplified beekeeping practices and honey harvesting activities;
limitations during colony feeding at times of food shortage, internal inspection is
destructive, less possibility to split colonies, excessive bee killing during honey
harvesting even the queen, and judging ripeness of honey is very difficult and
leads to excessive brood and store combs’ damages (Abebe Mitikie, 2017).

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2.2.2. Transitional beekeeping practices
Transitional beekeeping practices are in between of traditional and modern hives
and have been promoted by GOs and NGOs since 1978 (Beyene et al. 2016).
According to Ababor and Tekle, (2018) Kenya Top Bar Hive (KTBH), Tanzania Top
Bar Hive (TTBH), and mud-block hives are the three types of hives used in this method.
Because of its low cost and ease of construction, the KTBH has shown to be the most
ideal. KTBH is well-known and widely used in different parts of the country among these
hives. An ideal condition, a top- bar hive can produce approximately 50 kg of honey per
year, but in Ethiopia, the average amount of crude honey produced per hive per year is 9-
13 kg (Bahta, 2018).
2.2.3. Modern beekeeping practices
The modern movable-frame hive is made up of properly built rectangular box hives
placed one on top of the other in a tier, with the number of boxes varying depending on
the size of the bee population and the season. Since 1970, around five different types of
mobile frame hives have been introduced in Ethiopia (Dekebo et al., 2019). Brood
chamber, super (honey chamber), inner and exterior cover are all components of
improved beekeeping hives. Based on the national estimate, the average yield of pure
honey from frames hive is 15-20 kg/year, and the amount of bees wax produced is 1-2%
of the honey yield (Teklu, 2017).
The improved box hive has an advantage over the others in that it produces a high quality
and quantity of honey. Another advantage of an improved box hive is the ability to
manage to swarm by supervising the bees as they look for honeybee flowers and
pollination services. The downsides, on the other hand, are that the equipment is
somewhat expensive, it requires experienced labor, and that it requires very specific
precautions (Mohamed and Hassen, 2021).

13. 6
2.3. Economic Importance of Beekeeping in Ethiopia
Agriculture accounts for nearly 40% of Ethiopia's gross domestic product (GDP),
employs 80% of the labour force, generates 90% of export earnings, and accounts for
30% of government tax revenue. The livestock sector contributes up to 20% to Ethiopia's
GDP, while it offers a livelihood to 60–70% of the population. In respect of the country's
agricultural GDP, beekeeping contributes 1.3%. According to (Mohammed and Hassen
2021) around one million farmers are expected to maintain bees, which are a long-
standing and widely held activity in rural areas across the country.
Beekeeping plays a significant role in the national economy of the country as well as for
the subsistence of small holder farmers (Asebu 2021). In this case, we consider that
beekeeping has many advantages that help farmer beekeepers to improve their wellbeing.
The socio-economic impact of beekeeping and the main hive products and importance of
beekeeping are summarized as follows:
2.3.1. Honey production
Honey production is one of the direct contributions of beekeeping practices. In terms of
economic contribution and exports commodities, honey is one of the marketed livestock
products of Ethiopia. As a result, there is an increased demand for honey production
(EIAR, 2017). In the last 15 years (2001-2015), Ethiopia’s honey production increases
from 28,000 tons to 54,000 tons. From the total production of honey in Ethiopia about
41.22% is used for household consumption, about 54.68% for sale, about 0.34% used as
payment for wage in kind and the rest 3.75% used for other purpose (Demisew, 2016).
According to Sahle, Embiyale et al., (2018) 85% of the total honey estimated to be
brought for the market is used for ‘Tej’ manufacture, with 15% of the total honey
consumed at home. Furthermore, beekeepers are estimated to earn around 360-480
million Birr per year from the total honey produced in the country. As the honey
production capacity is different from the region to region, the most important honey
producing regions are Oromia (38%), Amhara (26%), SNNP (18%) and Tigray (7%) of
total honey production potential (Teferi, 2018).

14. 7
Table 1 number of beehives, honey production and frequency of harvesting per year in Ethiopia (CSA, 2019)
Beehives (n) 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/2020 Harvests/
year
Contribution
(%)
All beehives 6,189,329 6,523,969 7,075,188 6,986,100 1.66 100%
Traditional 5,902,624 6,327,197 6,794,424 6,699,219 1.65 95.9%
Transitional 80,832 69,399 80,164 102,957 1.73 1.47%
Modern 205,873 127,373 200,600 183,924 1.74 2.63%
Honey production (ton)
All beehives 47,706 66,222 58,588 129,301 100%
Traditional 42,928 63,798 54,368 124,791 96.51%
Transitional 2,037 497 952 920 0.71%
Modern 2,741 1,926 3,269 3,590 2.78%
Honey production/hive/kg
All beehives 8 10 8 12
Traditional 7 10 8 9
Transitional 25* 7 12 9
Modern 13 15 16 19.5
Figure 1 Ethiopian honey production in different years (CSA, 2019)
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/2020
50,330 59,161
47,706
66,222
58,588
129,301
Production in tons

15. 8
Figure 2: top ten honey producing countries in the world (FAO, 2020)
2.3.2. Beeswax production
The total bees wax production in Ethiopia was 5,521 ton in 2021 production year. This
makes Ethiopia the second largest bees wax producing country in the world next to
China (FA0, 2020). Beeswax supports the national economy through foreign exchange
earnings. Presently, beeswax is one of the major exportable agricultural products. Like
honey, beeswax is also a multipurpose natural bee product, which is used in the
manufacture of more than 300 commodities. Honey and beeswax also play a big role in
the cultural and religious life of the people of the country (Belie, 2019).
Figure 3: top ten beeswax producing countries in the world (FAO, 2020).
446,900
114,113 79,468 58,588
745,741
1,850,873
0
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
1,400,000
1,600,000
1,800,000
2,000,000
World honey production in metric tonnes/2018
24,646
5,521 4,941 3,971 3,806 2,520 2,315 1,891 1,761 1,594
0
10000
20000
30000
Beeswax production (tonnes)

16. 9
2.3.3. Crop pollination and environmental protection
Golden service of bees is not recognized in Ethiopia and even in Africa as well. The
contribution of honey bee pollination to crop production and quality has been estimated
to be more than the value of honey and wax production. Therefore, honey bees’
pollination has brought about significant economic contribution in crop production
(Nuru, 2014).
Pollinators contribute to 35 percent of the world’s total crop production, pollinating 87 of
115 leading food crops worldwide (FAO, 2020). Bees’ pollination services are worth
USD 215 billion per annum worldwide. Honey bees help to pollinate flowers,
horticultural crops and vegetables worldwide (Smith et al. 2014). Thus, funding in the
apiculture sector means diversifying income source, bettering agricultural yield of
smallholder farmers and developing employment opportunities for the youth, women and
conserving bio-diversity, mitigating climate change and improves exchange of foreign
currencies (Asebu, 2021).
2.3.4. Source of immediate cash income
Beekeeping is one of the most important income-generating activities in the rural
communities. The main emphasis given on honey production is as a cash crop. Honey has
good domestic market all the year round with slight price change at different market
points. In the country honey selling helps for the diversification of the incomes of farmers
(Ejigu, Gebey et al. 2009).
According to Belie, (2009) report, the vicinity honey production is no longer attractive;
beekeepers can sell their colonies in the market. In this regard honey bees serve as ‘near
cash’ capital which generate attractive money. According to Asebu, (2021) in Ethiopia,
the total annual gross value of 2.20 billion ETB and 0.15 billion of ETB is earned from
honey and bees wax respectively.

17. 10
2.3.5. Job opportunities
Beekeeping practices create job opportunities for landless men and women for their
livelihood as it needs low capital to start (Teferi, 2018). But the exact number of people
engaged in the honey sub-sector in Ethiopia is no longer well known. However, it is
estimated that around one million farm households are involved in beekeeping business
using the traditional, intermediate and modern hives. It could also be observed that a
large number of people (intermediaries and traders) take part in honey collection and
retailing (at village, district and zonal levels). Thousands of households are engaged in
Tej-making in almost all urban areas, hundreds of processors are emerging and exporters
are also flourishing (Beyene and David, 2007).
2.4. Major challenges of Beekeeping in Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, the beekeeping sub-sector has some key challenges that must be solved if the
full potential of apiculture is to be realized.
2.4.1. Honeybee pests, predators and disease
The agro ecology of Ethiopia is not only favorable to honeybees but also to different
kinds of honeybee pests and predators that are interacting with the life of honeybees
(Solomon, Degu et al. 2021). There are different pests and predators which for all intents
and functions have an effect on honey bee like ants, insects, spiders, snakes, and lizards,
wax moth, bee-eater birds, bee lice, honey badger, monkey, and small hive beetles. Those
pests and predators either directly eat bee colonies or consume their food (honey) and
indirectly affect their reproduction that leads a reduction in bee population (Malede et al.
2015; Debassa and Belay, 2015; Etenesh, 2016). The most famous bee diseases in
Ethiopia are Nosema, amoeba and chalk brood (Ababor and Tekle 2018). The existence
of honeybees’ disease, pests and predators affect the honeybees’ life which leads them to
absconding (Gidey et al. 2012). According to Segni, (2017), disease, predators and pests
are the main constraints of beekeeping.

18. 11
2.4.2. Shortage of bee forage
Shortage of bee forage due to population pressure, lack of land use coverage and the high
demand for farm land put pressures on mountainous areas to be used for crop production
and livestock grazing. This creates deforestation, soil erosion, and irreversible ecological
degradation. Moreover, burning of undergrowth and destroying of forest land for
expansion of farmland could trigger a reduction of honey production floras and foraging
areas. The elimination of good nectar and pollen producing tree species in many areas
makes it difficult to maintain bee colonies besides feeding (Kerealem, 2005; Giday and
Kebrom, 2010).
2.4.3. Marketing problems
Beekeepers, honey and beeswax collectors, retailers, teji brewers, processors and
exporters are recognized to be the key actors in the marketing chain of the honey sub-
sector. These channels are complex and found to be absence of prepared marketing
channels and lack of formal linkages amongst the actors in Ethiopia. Low and
discouraging price of honey and beeswax in local markets, lower quality of products, lack
of market information, absence of organized market channel, transportation problem, lack
of appropriate technologies for collecting, processing, packing and storage of honey to
keep its natural quality, lack of government support in promoting market development,
and low involvement of private sector are the most important elements affecting honey
marketing (Etenesh, 2016; Negash and Juergen, 2018; Gemechis, 2015).
2.4.4. Low level of technology used
About 94 to 97 percent of bees are still kept in local hives with its various limitations. An
introduction of improved beekeeping technologies to the rural communities are beyond
the buying power of the farmers and not easily available for those who can afford it. Most
of the local beekeepers lack the basic tool that would be needed for private work like bee
veil, hand gloves, smoker, chisel, and overall (beekeepers suit) (Kerealem et al., 2009).

19. 12
2.4.5. Lack of financial resources
Poor financial access has been a major barrier to the development of industrial-scale
production and the establishment of honey processing and packaging operations (Mamo
2016; Mohammed and Hassen 2021). Most beekeepers have little access to the financial
means to upgrade to transitional and modern beehives; therefore they continue to produce
honey using traditional methods (Takele, 2016).
According to Bekuma 2018, Tekle and Woldeyohanis 2016, moving to transitional and
modern beehives requires an initial investment of capital that most beekeepers do not
have. Thus they are unable to buy and use modern bee technologies to improve honey
yield; as a result, they are mainly dependent on backyard methods of beekeeping. High
cost of beekeeping materials, absence of medium and lengthy term credit institutions in
rural areas and technological problems as important challenges (Mengistu, 2010).
2.4.6. Poor harvesting and handling practices
The poor post-harvest handling (like storing in poor containers, storing at room
conditions, exposing the storage to dust and pests without covering the storage materials,
during storage and transportation) of honey, absence of market linkage between
producers, retailers and consumers affected negatively the quality of honey (Bahta,
2018).
According to Beyene and Verschuur, (2014) excessive using smoking materials during
honey harvesting and inappropriate storage containers are the main problems in honey
quality. Low productivity and quality of bee products are the major economic
impediments for beekeepers.
2.4.7. Shortage of bee colony
The majority of the beekeepers in the country obtaining bees are by capturing a wild
colony during the reproductive swarming season. However, wild bees habitats are
increasingly being destroyed as a result of expansion of farmland and are often suffer
from total destruction of their nest. Recent studies also revealed that in most part of the

20. 13
country acquiring honeybee colonies is a major problem to start bee farms and to expand
the existing ones (Kerealem et al.,2009; Etenesh, 2016)
2.4.8. Limited technical capacity
According to Mohammed and Hassen, (2021) shortage of materials and the capacity to
assemble improved beehives, insufficient hive management skills, limited knowledge in
regards to hive colonization, insufficient capacity for monitoring beehives for pests and
illnesses, and limited capacity for growing solutions to problems such as extra feed and
disease management, are all important challenges to the sector’s development. (Tekle and
Weledeyohanis, 2016).
2.4.9. Improper application of agrochemicals
Honey bees are largely important pollinators of agricultural crops but very sensitive
insects as they are disturbed by the common environmental factor like pollution. When
different chemicals are applied to the crops, they are affecting the pests of the crops but
also harm the beneficial insects as pollinators, predators and parasites. This harmful
effect disturbs the natural balance between the insects and their natural hosts (Segni
2017). Pesticide residues can cause bee colonies either die or absconded from their hive
and harm to the eggs, larvae, and adult honeybees (Sebho and Baraki 2018).
2.4.10. Absconding and migration
Honeybee colonies abandoned and migrated from their hives at any season of the year for
different reasons (Teferi, 2018). According to Mulisa and Fikadu, (2017) lack of forage,
incidence of pests and predators, sanitation problems, shortage of water, bad weather
condition and bee disease are the major reasons for absconding of bee colonies.
2.4.11. Lack of skilled manpower and training institutions
According to Mengistu, (2010); Edessa, (2005); Birhanu (2016) lack of skilled manpower
(apicultural extension staffs), absence of national training center and lack of enormous
educational components are constraints of beekeeping in Ethiopia. Beekeepers have

21. 14
limited knowledge of beekeeping practices due to shortage of formal and informal
education from different sources.
2.4.12. Inadequate government support
In Ethiopia there is no a concerned college or university which can provide basic
trainings to farmers, extension workers and experts in beekeeping, rather than Holeta Bee
Research Center (HBRC). However, this doesn’t meet the ever increasing demand of
trained manpower in the country (Sahle, Embiyale et al., 2018).
Table 2 major beekeeping challenges which is identified in different parts of Ethiopia
No. Challenges Studied areas Authors
1. Pests, predators and disease South Shewa zone of
Oromia/Wonchi district
Beyene and
Verschuur
2. Application of chemicals West Shewa zone of Oromia/Ada
Berga district
Etenesh (2016)
3. Low level of technology used Erer Zone of Somali Regional
State, Ethiopia
Mahamed
Abdimahad et al.
4. Marketing system Bale, South-eastern Ethiopia Tesfaye et al.
5. Shortage of bee colony Burie District of Amhara Region,
Ethiopia
Belie, T.2009
6. Lack of financial resources Gedeo Zone, SNNP, Ethiopia Gebretsadik and
Negash
7. Shortage of bee forages Amhara Region, Ethiopia Kerealem et al. 2009
8. Poor infrastructure development Haramaya District, Eastern
Ethiopia
Serda et al.
9. Lack of skilled manpower Gamo Gofa zone of Southern
Ethiopia
Nebiyu and Messele
10. Absconding and swarming Ahferrom Woreda, Central Zone of
Tigray, Ethiopia
Beyene E. 2019
11. Poor extension services Central Zone of Tigray Haftu et al.
12. Low quality of honey products Burie district of Amhara Region Belie T.2009
13. Inadequate government support Amhara Region, Ethiopia Kerealem et al. 2009
14. Recurrent drought Ahferrom Woreda, Central Tigray, Beyene E. 2019
15. Poor handling practices Amhara Region, Ethiopia Kerealem et al.,2009

22. 15
2.5. Major Opportunities of Beekeeping in Ethiopia
There are tremendous opportunities in the honey industry for the improvement of the
livelihoods of people in the country.
2.5.1. Agro-ecological conditions and flowering plants
Ethiopia is endowed with various climatic conditions; topography and a wide range of
altitude favoring the presence of different natural vegetation’s that include forests,
bushes, herbs, weeds and undergrowth that are conducive to beekeeping and honey
production. The presence of this natural vegetation made the country the best home for
honeybees. The forests, woodlands contain numerous species that provide surplus nectar
and pollen to foraging bees (Mulisa and Fekadu, 2017). This assisted to exist more than
10 million honey bee colonies in the country. Currently, more than 7000 species of
flowering plants are estimated to be found in the country, of which most of them are
honeybee plants (Ababor and Tekle, 2018; Fikru, 2015).
2.5.2. Existence of strong bee colonies
Ethiopia, having the highest number of bee colonies and different types of honeybee
species, and surplus honey sources of florae leading producer of honey and beeswax in
Africa. Ethiopia produces about 54,330 metric tons of crude honey per year, thus shares
24% of Africa and 2.4% of world’s honey production (Fenet and Alemayehu, 2016).
2.5.3. Demand for the bee products and honeybee
Globally, there is large and growing demand for honey, as well as for beeswax and other
bee products (OXFAM, 2011). According to Ababor and Tekle, (2018) beekeeping is
environmentally sustainable activity that can be integrated with agricultural practices like
crop production, animal husbandry, horticultural crops and conservation of natural
resources. Thus, it would be one of the most important intervention areas for sustainable
development of poor countries like Ethiopia. Honey and beeswax also play a big role in
the cultural and religious life of the people of Ethiopia (Birhanu, 2016).

23. 16
2.5.4. Presence of indigenous knowledge and skills
The beekeepers have developed indigenous knowledge which was passing from
generation to generation. The main areas of indigenous beekeeping knowledge are hive
construction from locally available materials, swarm catching; hive fumigation, honey
and swarming season identification, different medicinal values of honey, identification of
important honeybee floras and identification of adulterated honey by smelling, tasting,
and looking color of honey. This familiarity and pride with bee-keeping can support rapid
uptake among additional beneficiaries (Ababor and Tekle 2018)
2.5.5. Presence of supporting organizations
There is an encouraging support from the government and NGOs to develop micro and
small scale enterprises in apiculture. These institutional changes will provide good
opportunity to create increasing demand and competitive market for organic honey. This
will in turn result in endogenous technological change and overall development in the sub
sector (Mohammed and Hassen, 2021).
2.5.6. Government efforts towards sector development
Extension activities on beekeeping started in Ethiopia in 1978. Since then, considerable
efforts have been made to improve apiculture production through training, introduction of
new technologies, production and distribution of equipment and institutional capacity
building was implemented for the last ten years ( Melaku et al., 2008; Shuma and Dinsa
2020).
Great attention has also been given to training of extension workers and farmers in
apiculture so that they could acquire better beekeeping knowledge and develop skills
enabling them to improve the backward bee culture and increase the production of honey
and beeswax. The Animal and Fisheries Development Department under the Ministry of
Agriculture has formulated (Melaku et al. , 2008).
Government has increased its attention to develop the apiculture subsector as one of its
strategies for poverty reduction and diversification of export commodities. Now days the

24. 17
government of Ethiopia focused on the apiculture sector by interconnection with natural
resource conservation. Both government and non–government organizations undertake
many activities in the form of training and adoption of new technologies (Shuma and
Dinsa 2020).
Table 3 major beekeeping opportunities identified in different parts of Ethiopia
No. Opportunities Studied areas Authors
1. Diverse Agro-ecological
conditions and flowering plants
Berga District West Shoa Zone,
Oromia, Ethiopia
Etenesh,2016
2. Existence of strong bee colonies Amhara Region, Ethiopia Kerealem et al.,2009
3. Demand for the bee products and
honeybee
Amhara Region, Ethiopia Kerealem et al.,2009
4. Presence of indigenous
knowledge and skills
Burie District of Amhara Region (Belie 2009)
5. Availability of water Gamo Gofa zone of Southern
Ethiopia
Nebiyu and Messele
6. Socio-economic value of bee
products
Jimma Zone Gomma district
Gambela Zariain Able and
Godere woreda
Chala et al., Shibru et
al.
7. Access to extension service Burie district of Amhara Region Belie.2009
8. Establishment of Ethiopian
beekeeping Association
Oromia Region, Ethiopia (Dekebo, Bisrat et al.
2019)
9. Presence of supporting
organization
Amhara Region, Ethiopia Kerealem et al. 2009
10. Government efforts towards
sector development
Ahferrom Woreda, Central Zone
of Tigray, Ethiopia
Beyene E, 2019
11. Skilled manpower Amhara Region, Ethiopia Kerealem et al.,2009
12. Marketing access Jimma Zone Gomma district
Gambela Zariain Able and
Godere woreda
Chala et al., Shibru et
al.
13. Credit access Wolaita and Dawro Zones (Lijalem, Zereu et al.
2017)

25. 18
2.6. Prospects of Honeybee Production
The honeybee is a beneficial social insect. It is important for obtaining honey, securing
food, reducing poverty, job employing, getting income, protecting environmental
pollution, and caring for human health (Wakgari and Yigezu, 2021). The beekeeping
sector is one of the few sectors that had the most inclusive ability to achieve
transformation and growth across all categories of rural households through increasing
the income of the rural people. This is because of its large resource base and low barriers
to entry (Paulos and Desalgne, 2012). Beekeeping should be considered as a great source
of employment creation for the rural people to reduce poverty. Availability of natural
forest, availability of water resources, low barriers or ease entrance to the sector consider
as major prospect of the sector. Agriculture led industrialization policy of the country
creates the fertile ground for the development of the sector.
Ethiopia is also one of the top ten best quality honey producer in the world, ranked
8th
next to Greece and Thailand. White honey from Tigray Mountains, Wonchi
volcano honey, Wolisso honey, Shalala honey and Horde honey are known and earn
high price in foreign markets (FAO, 2020). Due to the tremendous increment of world
market demand for Ethiopian honey and other hive products, year-on-year increase of
production is expected and due to higher market demand and government and non-
governmental organization involvement full potential production can be achieved
within a few years.

26. 19
3. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
3.1. Conclusion
Ethiopia is one of the best areas in the world for beekeeping. To this fact, different
sources estimated that about 10 millions of honeybee colonies and 1.8 million beekeepers
estimated to exist in the country. The beekeeping sub-sector plays an important role in
increasing income of subsistence farmers and also contributes a lot to the country’s
national economy. Currently, there are three production systems of bee products in
Ethiopia namely, traditional (forest and backyard), intermediate (transitional) and modern
(frame beehive) system. However, despite favorable conditions and existing huge
potentials, the country in general and the producers and all other actors in particular are
not benefiting from the sub sector. This is mainly attributed to honeybee pests, predators
and disease, shortage of bee forage, low level of technology used, marketing problem,
and lack of financial resources, low quality of honey products, shortage of bee colony and
other technical problems. Yet, there are still enormous opportunities and potentials to
boost the production and quality of honey products in the country. This is reflected by the
various indigenous knowledge practices, production of quality/natural honey, and diverse
distribution of honeybee floras (in most part of the country), demand for the bee products
and honeybee, presence of different type of honeybee’s species in the different parts of
the country.
3.2. Recommendation
 It is important to harmonize policy and supportive structures at the Regional and
National levels to guide the development of the beekeeping sector.
 Design policies and regulations particularly for the beekeeping sub-sector, to
regulate the use of pesticides and insecticides applicably.
 Increasing collaboration between national and international organizations, and
academic and research networks to improve the sub-sector at grass root level.
 Training on beekeeping and its management including pests and diseases
management, bee forage development, colony management, honey harvesting,
extraction, processing, etc should be undertaken.

27. 20
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