Beekeeping has significantly contributed to environmental conservation and the preservation of natural resources. Although the quality and quantity of flora available play a major role in the success of the sector, the botanical makeup of natural vegetation varies greatly. This study was conducted targeting the identification and documentation of major honeybee floras and their flowering calendar. Midland and lowland agroecologies were purposively selected. Continuous field plant registration was performed. Melissopalynological analysis from bee pollen and honey were used to identify floral origin. Field observations identified 59 and 63 plants in the midland and lowlands, respectively. Season 1 had the highest pollen yields, ranging from 11051.8 ± 56.4 g (midlands) to 878.3 ± 18.3 g (lowlands), while season 4 ranged from 16.8 ± 6.3 g (midlands) to 15.6 ± 7.4 g (lowlands) and had the lowest pollen yield. In both regions, February, March, July, and August are the months when pollen is not brought into the hive and could be used as starvation periods. A total of 1430.8 ± 75.4 and 1291.8 ± 71.4 g of bee pollen/hive were collected throughout the year in midland and lowland, respectively, and Asteraceae was the richest family accounting around 90% of pollen weight. In both agroecologies, honey is harvested three times a year. In the midland, monofloral honey, namely, Guizotia spp (64.42%) and Croton macrostychus (47.42%), was harvested in November and May, respectively, while honey harvested in February was multifloral type. Similarly, in the lowlands, monofloral honey of Guizotia spp (51.85%), Coffee arabica (55.22%), and Croton macrostychus (50.42%) was harvested in December, March, and June, respectively. Based on the results, Bidens prestinaria, Bidens pilosa, Guizotia spp, C. macrostachyus, Eucalyptus spp, Lepidium sativum, Zea mays, Hypostes trifolia, Vernonia spp, Trifolium spp, Helianthus annuus, C. arabica, Brassica abyssinica, Andropogon abyssinicus, Sorghum bicolor, Cordia africana, Syzygium guineense, and Terminalia spp are major bee plants. It is found that the study area is rich in bee plant diversity and hence has a potential for honey production.

This study was conducted in Toke Kutaye and Wolmera districts of West Shoa zone in 2018 and 2019. The two districts were selected purposively based on the stingless bee (meliponiculture) abundance. The objective was to evaluate and demonstrate stingless beekeeping practice (domestication) with farmers participation. Three Farmers research and extension groups (FREG) with 10 beekeepers each (6 male and 4 female) were established at Toke Kutaye and Wolmera districts. Three stingless bee apiaries were selected at each FREG for stingless bee (Meliponiculture) domestication. Both practical and theoretical Training was given for 41 beekeepers, 6 Woreda experts, and 3 DAs. Out of the training participants, 19 were female. A total of 31 pot hives were constructed by local potteries following the appropriate design. 20 queen right stingless bee nests from Toke Kutaye and 9 from Wolmera agro-ecologies were collected and domesticated at each apiary site. One shade was constructed at each apiary and pot hives were constructed for all FREG members. FREG members participated in all works (colony hunting from the forest and transferring, shade construction, feeding, and other management). The transferred colony (31 pot hives) were domesticated/persisted at all FREG site. About 620 mL of pure honey per pot per period was harvested from Toke Kutaye site. FREG members and other neighboring farmers appreciate the technology particularly for honey quality, simple inspection, colony not absconded, etc. Therefore, the technology should be further promoted in stingless bee production potential areas.

On-farm Evaluation and demonstration of small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) trapping technology was conducted in the 2018/2019 in West Shoa zone, Bako Tibe district to evaluate the effectiveness of the trap, to minimize the absconded of honey bees and produce quality, honey. One representative PA was selected based on honey production potential and accessibility for field monitoring and visit. Beneficiary farmers were selected based on the criteria and objective of the AGP II (Agricultural Growth Program II,) and the willingness of farmers to participate in the demonstration. The FREG members include 20 beekeepers (5female and 15 men.) The training was given for beekeepers, Woreda experts, and DAs.20 Langstroth hives (10 treatments and 10 control colonies) were established at one apiary site. Pieces of corrugated cardboard (45 cm × 45 cm), with one surface peeled to expose the ridges, were placed on the bottom board of each beehive with the ridged side down for treatment group hive. Small hive beetle adults and larvae were trapped counted, removed, and burned. Honey bee colonies from the treatment group were not absconded whereas the control group honey bee colonies were more absconded. The honey yields were obtained from the treatment group 16Kg/hive/season and 7Kg/hive/season from the control group. The number of small hive beetle adults and larvae counted from the cardboard was decreased through data collection season. The FREG members appreciated the technology; therefore, further scaling up of this technology should be conducted in different areas of beekeeping.