Challenges, opportunities and strategies for the establishment of beekeeping inputs producing enterprises in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

This study was conducted to investigate the challenges, opportunities and strategies for the establishment of beekeeping input-producing enterprises in Amhara region, Ethiopia. In this study, a total of 135 women beekeepers household surveys, 33 key informants, and 18 focus groups were addressed to collect primary data. Moreover, additional data was collected through researchers’ observation and secondary data. The survey data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical package while qualitative data were analyzed by thematic analysis method. The study showed that women have come to own an average of 5.18, 2.04, and 2.38 honey bee colonies in traditional, transitional and modern hives respectively. Moreover, 15.2% of the respondent beekeepers have confirmed that they have started beekeeping with the support from Oxfam. The results showed that 47.04% of the respondents have evidenced that the beekeeping inputs in use are obtained from Oxfam followed by beekeepers themselves. Furthermore, 80%, 77.8% and 82.2% of Mecha, Dangila and Guangua respondents respectively have explained that the cost of most beekeeping inputs is expensive. On the other hand, 75.6%, 55.5% and 62.2% of Mecha, Dangila and Guangua, respective, women respondents have confirmed that there will not be a market problem if a beekeeping input-producing enterprise is established in their area. Lack of access, high cost and sometimes qualities of inputs have been identified as challenges that women beekeepers are facing in the areas. However, encouraging market demand, increasing the number of beekeepers, availability of raw materials used in input production, and important support from Oxfam are identified potential opportunities in the study areas. As healthy beekeeping is necessary for both improvements in the productivity and health of agricultural and natural ecosystems, everyone anywhere shall better consider the support from sustainable and demand-driven input- producing enterprises.