Pre-extension Demonstration and Evaluation of Top Feeder Honeybee Feeding Technology at Wolmera Woreda, Oromia Region

To maintain optimum honeybee colony population during dearth of floral resources, feeding of honeybee colonies with supplementary feeds is important. This research activity is conducted with the main objectives to evaluate and demonstrate top feeder technology under farmers’ management and create awareness on the importance of the technology. As to the method, selection of demonstration sites and farmers was purposive due to the reason that the evaluation of the technology requires modern box hive and experience on this hive. Two demonstration sites at two Village Administrations selected and Farmers research groups were used for technology evaluation. One FRG which contain 10-15 beekeepers strengthened at each demonstration site and group apiaries of FRG members used as centers of learning and technology evaluation. At each sites, farmers, development agents and experts trained and experimental colonies established. Honeybee colony follow up and technology evaluation activities undertaken in partnership with these FRG members, development agents and experts. As to the result, by using top feeder, the beekeeper can feed many colonies in short period of time. The average time taken to feed one honeybee colony using top feeder was only 55.85 seconds where as it was 107.26 seconds using plastic bucket under farmer’s management. Moreover, feeding using top feeder also reduced honeybee colonies disturbance during time of feeding. In conclusion, technologies like top feeder that saves beekeepers time and also reduce disturbances of honeybee colony are critical for our beekeepers. Therefore, it is suggested to further pre scale up the technology in other areas