Status quo of beekeeping in dryland area of mwanga district as an entry point towards improved beekeeping intervention
Loading...
Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journals of Multidisciplinary Research Academy
Abstract
Beekeeping is among the economic activities with potential to enhance incomes of smallholder
households in the light of climate change through diversification with other activities.
Smallholder farmers in the dryland areas of Mwanga district have been affected by climate
change. The area has great potential for beekeeping based on the the fact that it has abundant
availability of bee forage plants such as Acacia and other trees species and herb vegetation types.
Beekeeping, thus, is one of the sectors on which efforts towards improving life standards of
people can put emphasis on. However, before interventions for improved beekeeping can be
implemented, understanding of the field realities on beekeeping is imperative. Such knowledge
may include issues related to local household beekeeping strategies, challenges facing the sector,
and mechanisms for addressing those challenges. In Mwanga district, the practice of beekeeping
entailed the use of log-hives and traditional ways of beekeeping such as the use of fire in
harvesting honey which can result into forest fires; beekeepers encoutered the challenges of theft
of honey, lack of appropriate facilities and working gears, and low knowledge on honey
production. Also, beekeepers were not organized to delibarate on their interests, instead they
operated independent of one another. It was recommended that training should be provided and
incentives created so as to promote beekeeping profitably and eco-friendly, and further research
is recommended on the market aspects of beekeeping.
Description
International Journal of Physical and Social Sciences
Keywords
Beekeeping, Potential, Limitation, Smalholder farmers.