Abstract
The research investigated the impact of contemporary beekeeping methods on the productivity of farmers in Nigeria. It aimed to compare costs and returns, technical and profit efficiencies, and identify major constraints associated with both modern and traditional beekeeping practices. A total of 46 beekeepers, representing both modern and traditional methods, participated in the study. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and oral interviews. The findings revealed that modern beekeeping yielded higher income compared to traditional methods, despite higher production costs. Investment in modern beekeeping, facilitated by access to affordable credit, significantly increased, which is currently a limitation in traditional beekeeping. Moreover, modern beekeepers experienced increased labor days and baiting materials, enhancing production, while labor and apiary expenses constrained profitability, even among traditional beekeepers. Therefore, it is recommended to incentivize modern beekeepers with financial support to expand their workforce. Additionally, local policies aimed at reducing labor costs and other inputs should be encouraged.
INTRODUCTION
Apiculture, commonly known as beekeeping, represents a vital facet of agriculture, historically overlooked yet now gaining recognition. This practice, which involves the commercial management of bee colonies, thrives on small parcels of land, boasting low start-up costs and minimal operational expenses compared to other ventures (Verma et al., 2018; Otim et al., 2019). Its significance extends beyond mere profitability, encompassing environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and socioeconomic stability (Akinmulewo et al., 2017; Vrabcová & Hájek, 2020).
The practice of beekeeping otherwise known as Apiculture is the maintenance of honeybees and hives for the purpose of producing honey, bee wax, and other bee products; crop pollination services, and the sale of bee attractants or bees to other beekeepers. It is simply the domestication of bees, the maintenance of their colonies, commonly in man-made hives, by humans. Notably, beekeeping contributes substantially to both local and global economies, serving as a source of foreign exchange through exports (Yeserah et al., 2019) while generating employment opportunities in rural and urban settings alike (DeGrandi-Hoffman et al., 2019). The economic importance of honeybees lies not only in honey production but also in their pivotal role as pollinators for a vast array of crops, including vegetables, fruits, and seed crops worldwide (Akinade, 2019). Consequently, beekeeping directly impacts agricultural productivity, with the potential to enhance global yields by as much as 24% (Vrabcová & Hájek, 2020). The honeybee's produce encompasses various valuable items such as honey, royal jelly, pollen, propolis, beeswax, and bee venom (Verma et al., 2018; Popovska et al., 2021). Beekeeping, also known as apiculture, stands as a vital component within agribusiness, involving the cultivation and management of bee colonies for their products. The tropical and consistently humid climate of Nigeria, particularly in the study areas, provides favorable conditions for bee survival (World Bank, 2006), accentuating the economic significance of beekeeping in both primary and secondary agricultural sectors. Noteworthy is the impact of beekeeping on agricultural productivity. Scientific studies, as highlighted by Carter (2004), demonstrate substantial increases in fruit yields when bee populations are robust and active in pollination. Furthermore, honey and pollen grains offer significant nutritional benefits, as evidenced by their historical usage in culinary practices, such as honey wine preparation by Arabian travelers during the Middle Ages (100-1500 AD) (Lewicki, 1974). Early beekeeping practices were marked by individuals placing as many as 100 straw hives on trees during a season, reflecting the rudimentary yet effective methods employed in the ancient art of beekeeping. (Taylor, 1942) Honey stands as a vital component of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, particularly in today's era marked by various health challenges. Scientific research has underscored the manifold benefits of honey derived from bees in addressing ailments such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, snakebites, and throat sores (Amssalu, 2002; Demirkaya & Sagdicoglu Celep, 2022). Moreover, honey finds applications in the beauty industry, where it aids in wound and ulcer healing. Traditionally, beekeeping has been conducted through methods reliant on log hives, gourds, mud pots, and baskets, which lack the facility for examination, necessitating the gathering of honey by chasing bees with smoke. This traditional approach differs significantly from modern beekeeping techniques. Modern beekeeping adopts replaceable tops or frames, encouraging bees to construct combs that facilitate the monitoring of colony health by beekeepers (Oyerinde & Ande, 2006). Modern beekeeping provides consistent sources of honey and allows small-scale farmers to maintain and regulate bee colonies. It also provides for more skilled and efficient management, as well as greater yields and consistent delivery of bee products to the market (FAO, 2011). Traditional beekeeping, on the other hand, is technically viable and needs less expertise, yet colonies are destroyed in the pursuit of honey. Further improvement was made with the use of pots so as to achieve honey separation. Bee keeping also has some constraint facing it. The use of fire in harvesting in the traditional bee keeping usually result in destruction of trees (Crane 2004). There is also a marked supply deficit of honey given the fact that a great proportion of the honey in the market is from the traditional hive (Ntenga, 2000).The initial capital required in the establishment of modern bee keeping has hampered efficient honey production (Bradbear, 2000). The practice of bee keeping is as old as any other agricultural practice. It has been an alternative source of income to farmers especially in rural communities. Old or traditional bee keeping differs from modern bee keeping in management style. This has ineluctably influence output in terms of quality and quantity per annum. Both methods of apiculture are somewhat alternatives since the apiculturist or farmer is availed with the knowledge of both methods. Apiculture – being an agribusiness enterprise – requires that the most suitable management practice (considering other environmental factor) to maximize output be applied. It has been found to be profitable with little investment made in it (Gurung 2005). This study basically seek to identify the social – economic characteristics of the bee keepers; determine the cost and returns associated with modern bee keeping and traditional bee keeping; examine the factors affecting the technical efficiency of modern and traditional bee keepings; examine some performance indicators and the determinants of the enterprise profit of the two practices and identify the constraints to profitable bee keeping. Beekeeping as an agribusiness venture requires the most productive, profitable, and environmentally friendly management practices (Gurung, 2005). Modern beekeeping practice is environmentally friendly and has to be encouraged when compared with the traditional practice. It is reported that commercial beekeepers in developed countries practice the modern beekeeping method. This is because the modern method allows farmers to harvest about 40 litres of honey on average per hive (Abdullahi et al., 2014). The reverse is the case in most sub-Saharan African countries. According to Holeta Bee Research Center (2004), a modern beehive box has the capacity to produce about 20-30 kg of honey per colony in a year when compared with 5-10 kg of honey per colony per year for the traditional beehive. Modern beekeeping has many advantages, such as it is easy to understand, produces high-quality honey, and improves honey yield production and productivity (Asmiro et al., 2017).
Despite the fact that the country has a long history of beekeeping and is well adapted to supporting a high number of bee colonies, bees and plants they rely on are constantly endangered by a lack of understanding and respect for these endowments, as all are renewable natural resources [8]. Furthermore, in all sections of the country, several million colonies of bees are managed using traditional beekeeping methods. Traditional beehives are basic cylindrical containers in which bees and their combs are housed. There are hives with permanent honeycombs that are typically housed in hollow logs or clay or Wicken’s vessels. Traditional beekeeping, unfortunately, does not use modern equipment and practices. As a result, collecting fruits and vegetables kills or seriously weakens the colony. Over the last 20 years, there has been a tiny but continuous interest in modern hive beekeeping methods; farmers retain approximately 10,000 frame hives and 30,000 top bar hives (MoA 2003). Frame hives will only benefit if they are used effectively and in accordance with technology. Almost all of Africa’s frame hives have been project-related in some form or kept by beekeeping hobbyists or enthusiasts, many of whom are expats.
