Techno-Economic and Socio-Cultural Determinants of Beekeeping Integration within Agricultural Production Systems of Landowners in and Around the Luki Biosphere Reserve (Kongo Central, DR Congo)

Land capital and compensation preferences emerge as the principal determinants governing the integration of beekeeping into the agricultural production systems of landowners in and around the Luki Biosphere Reserve (LBR) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This study investigates the techno-economic and sociocultural factors shaping this integration, with the aim of identifying key barriers and proposing context-specific interventions. A purposive sampling strategy was employed, targeting farmers who demonstrated an explicit interest in the concentrated apiary approach, following preparatory consultations with local village authorities to facilitate engagement. Findings indicate that landowners most receptive to beekeeping adoption possess extensive and diversified landholdings, spanning multiple agroecological zones, with diverse cropping systems and a significant proportion of fallow land. While demographic characteristics such as age and gender were found to be non-determinant, apicultural knowledge, and compensation arrangements, specifically a preference for long-term agreements (exceeding five years) and annual in-kind payments representing at least 10% of production, play a pivotal role in decision-making. The study underscores the crucial importance of economic incentives and capacity building to foster the sustainable integration of beekeeping practices. Accordingly, development initiatives promoting concentrated apiaries should primarily target landowners with secure tenure rights, substantial and diversified land assets, and a readiness to engage under mutually advantageous partnership terms.