AKSU Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development

PROFITABILITY OF BEEKEEPING IN GANYE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA.

Author:  Taru, V.B., Umaru A.T., Tarfa, J. Z. and Asogwa, U. G.

Abstract
Keeping honey bees is very essential for man’s benefit. Traditionally, honey bees are kept in many countries where they are used for many purposes. However due to the low production technology being employed, Africa has the lowest yield per colony when compared with other continents. This research work was carried out in Ganye Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study includes; to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, identify beekeeping technologies being used, determination of cost and returns and identify the constraints face in beekeeping. Forty respondents were identified and interviewed using snowballing non-random sampling technique. The analytical tools used for this study were the frequency distribution, simple percentage and farm budget model. The results of the study revealed that 25% of the respondents were within the age of less than or equal to 30 years, while 52.5% were above 60 years. About 55% of the respondents had non-formal education, 32.5% had primary education while 12.5% had secondary education. About 70% of the respondents had above 50 years of beekeeping experience, while 30% had within the range of less than or equal to 50 years of experience. The types of hives used in the study area were straw, guinea corn stalk, “azara” log, hollow trunk and pot hives. The net farm income per beekeeper per month was (₦10,880.125) this is an indication that beekeeping is a profitable business in the study area. Bush fire, harsh weather, occurrence of pest and diseases, inadequate bee plants; and lack of modern beekeeping equipment are the major constraints identified in the study area. It is recommended that modern beekeeping should be introduced and forest should be reserved for beekeeping.