The Current Constraints and Opportunity of Beekeeping in Ethiopia: A Review

Abstract

The goal of this article was to summarize beekeeping's limits and potential in Ethiopia. Beekeeping techniques and some of the roles of this sector in Ethiopia's economy will be covered in this article. Currently, there are three broad classifications of honey production systems in Ethiopia; these are traditional (forest and backyard), transitional (intermediate), and modern (frame beehive) systems. Despite the challenges and constraints, Ethiopia has the largest bee population in Africa with over 10 million bee colonies, of which 5 to 7.5 million are hived while the remaining exists in the wild. The country has the potential of producing up to 500,000 tons of honey per annum. But currently, the production is limited to 53,000 to 58,000 tons of honey. Ethiopia has even bigger potential than the current honey production due to the availability of plenty of apicultural resources such as natural forests with adequate apiculture flora, water resources, and a high number of existing bee colonies. Lack of well-trained manpower, honey bee pests and diseases, the high cost and limited availability of modern beekeeping equipment, and improper use of pesticides are some of the major constraints that prevent Ethiopian beekeeping from reaching its full production potential. To significantly improve the beekeeping sub-sector, the government and relevant development partners must collaborate to organize and promote forums on how to improve this industry and realize its full potential.

Market value chain of honey production in Northern Ethiopia

“…In theory, marketing in general and marketable famr commodities comprise three components: the satisfaction of customers, integration of markets and producing and organizing goods and services (Kotler and Keller, 2012;Elgar, 2013;Kansanga et al, 2019;Manida, 2021;Abbo et al, 2022). Supply chain and market chain are synonymously used to describe all participants involved in an economic activity, the transaction of farm inputs and services to enable a product to be made and delivered to a market (FAO, 2005;Lundy et al, 2008;Gratzer et, al., 2021;Siraj and Abdi, 2021;Tekeba and Yeshitela, 2018).…”

“…However, its annual production does not exceed 45,000 tons of honey and 3,000 tons of beeswax (Kassa et al, 2017b). More recent data indicates that the annual total honey production reached 53,000 tons, which is still about 10% of its potential (Tekeba and Yeshtila, 2018;Gratzer et al, 2021;Siraj and Abdi, 2021). Roughly 80% of the honey produced is consumed locally.…”

“…Roughly 80% of the honey produced is consumed locally. However, the per capita honey consumption, considering Ethiopia's population of 120,000,000, stands at 0.53 kg per head (Gratzer et al, 2021;Siraj and Abdi, 2021). According to CSA (2011CSA ( , 2012, the production and size of beehives vary by region.…”

“…According to CSA (2011CSA ( , 2012, the production and size of beehives vary by region. The central, southern, and western parts of the country produce and supply more than 80% of the honey (Siyoum, 2022;Seble, 2020;Besha, 2023;Dirriba, 2023;Benyam et al, 2021;Gratzer et al, 2021;Siraj and Abdi, 2021). Among the regions, Oromia, Amhara, and the former SNNP regional state supply 46.4, 21.8, and 20.2% of the honey production, respectively.…”

System Mapping of the Production and Value Chain to Explore Beekeeping Potential in Southwest Ethiopia

“…Ethiopia has the potential of producing up to 500,000 tons of honey and 50,000 tons of beeswax per annum. However, the current production volume is limited to 53,000 to 58,000 tons of honey and 5742 tons of beeswax [14,[24][25][26]. Moreover, out of the total 6,986,100 beehives found in the country, 96% are kept in traditional system, 1% in intermediate system and 3% in modern system beehives [27].…”