Thesis About Beekeeping

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The economic potential for honey and honey products is considerable. Bell (2009) puts the global honey production at over 1,250 metric tons, worth US$1.5 billion. Honey from Sub Sahara Africa has generally been traded locally and exports into the major countries have been suboptimal (UEPB, 2005). The Cooperative Organizations and Non-governmental Organizations have been at the forefront in spearheading investments in honey sector by small and medium enterprises. This intervention has encouraged trade in honey and other apiary products, thus unveiling the huge potentials for honey export. The top honey exporting countries in Africa are Zambia, Tanzania and South Africa (UEPB, 2005).

Despite

A bee farmer only needs small initial capital and once a farmer starts an apiary with a few beehives, such a farmer continues reaping an income stream extending for many years. Beekeeping is also an investment that can be undertaken by marginalized groups such as; women, youths, the disabled and the elderly people. The people living with HIV/AIDS, the old and unemployed can actively participate in beekeeping making it suitable for low income producers (FIT, 2006). This is because beekeeping is a low labour demanding and investment economic activity, a key attribute responsible for its increasing spreading amongst poor households including those in Otuke District. Generally beekeeping is considered to be a low risk investment and can be productive even in semi-arid areas that are unsuitable for other agricultural activities (Mujuni et al., 2012).

In Otuke, the case study district, beekeeping has remained largely subsistence venture, with farmers practicing honey hunting and use of other traditional practices. The beekeeping practice is though steadily gaining prominence as a commercial enterprise. Recently, there have been interventions in the district from government programs, Non-Government Organization (NGOs) and other private service providers to promote commercial production of

Northern Uganda, which produces the highest volumes, records about 640 MT per annum with the Central region recording the minimum volume of about 85 MT per annum. In terms of districts, the leading producers of honey are: Yumbe (130MT), Nakapiripirit (88MT), Pader (81.3MT), Moroto (70.6MT), Amuru (57MT), Oyam (47.8MT), Nyadri (44MT), Nebbi (42.6MT), Apac (40.6MT) and Lira, including Otuke (40.5MT) (UNDP, 2013). Figure 1.1 (a) gives the honey production levels in Uganda by