Abstract:
The study identified key stakeholders and their interests and
analyzed socio-economic factors influencing the perceptions
and resource use conflicts of apiculture as an intervention
towards improved natural resource management (NRM) by
local communities in Lushoto district in Tanzania. Opinions from
98 respondents selected through a purposive, stratified simple
random sampling were analysed using descriptive and inferential
statistics. Results showed that the majority of the farming
community (61.4%) perceived apiculture as a reliable source
of income and would adopt it as a complementary activity. There
was a significant relationship between occurrence of resource
use conflicts and age (P = 0.044); nature of conflict (P = 0.006);
level of interest (P = 0.038) and duration of residence in the
area (0.091). Farmers in the area had favourable perception
towards apiculture. Measures should therefore be taken to
sustain the favourable attitude of farmers towards apiculture
to enhance NRM. In order to promote apiculture industry in
Lushoto district, the study recommends a stepped up and
focussed approach for mobilisation of beekeepers, capacity
building and establishment of coordinated marketing system.
