Beekeping in magu district, tanzania: status, constraints and contributions to livelihoods
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Date
2011
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture.
Abstract
This study was conducted in six villages of Magu district, namely: Igekemaja. Lugeye, Nyalikungu, Ng'haya. Manala and Mkula. The aim was to assess status, constraints and contributions of beekeeping to household income. Data were collected from 180 respondents included both beekeepers and non-beekeepers through household questionnaire surveys, direct observations, interviews with key informants and two PRA techniques. The level of beekeeping community knowledge was analyzed using index scale of awareness. The mean difference in incomes between beekeepers and non-beekeepers was tested using Z-test. The significance of the constraints to beekeeping was analyzed using/5. The relationship between beekeeping education and honey hunting was examined using Pearson correlation. The relationship between socio-economic factors, the beekeeping extent and beekeeping community knowledge was analyzed using multinomial regression. Of the 180 respondents, only 13 were beekeepers with 74 beehives, whereas IO5were non-beekeepers. 62 were honey hunters and about 110 colonies were hunted in 2009. Respondents with beekeeping education were more likely to practice beekeeping and neither of them hunted honey. Four levels of beekeeping community knowledge were identified: 8 respondents (4.4%) were found with “high knowledge". 95 (52.8%) with "moderate knowledge”. 70 (38.9%) with "low knowledge” and 7 (3.9%) with "no knowledge". Alternative sources of income attributed to low community participation in beekeeping. The annual household income for beekeepers was TAS I 023 000±17l 484.69 (Mean±Standard Deviation) and TAS 835 700±l 011 058.71for non-beekeepers. Eight constraints to beekeeping were identified with lack of beekeeping knowledge, fear of honeybee sting and shortage of bee fodder being three top most. Others were lack of capital, alternative income sources and shortage of colonies.The study concludes that for honeybee resources to be utilized fully
and sustainably, the community must be provided with beekeeping education and facilitated to obtain modem beekeeping equipment.
Description
Dessertation
Keywords
Beekeeing, Magu District, Tanzania, Status, Constraints, Contributions, Livelihoods