Bee flora identification, constraints and opportunities of beekeeping in North Wollo, Amhara, Ethiopia

The aim of this investigation was to identify honeybee flora species, identify the constraints and opportunities of honey production in three purposively selected districts of North Wollo, Amhara, Ethiopia from September to November 2021. In total, 384 beekeepers were purposively selected for the interview based on accessibility and beekeeping potentials. Structured and semi-structured questionnaires, key informant interview and focal group discussions were used for data collection. Beekeepers indicated that the major source of bee colony was buying, catching swarm and gift from others with decreasing order. Beekeepers kept their bee colony in the backyard area. They keep traditional, movable frame and top bar hive, respectively, in descending order. Majority of the beekeepers follow traditional production systems. Twenty-nine honeybee flora species and twelve poisonous plants are also identified. Use of agrochemicals, lack of beekeeping equipment, diseases, pests and predators were the main challenges to beekeeping identified in the study area. Conversely, the suitability of an environment with different agro-ecology, the availability of diversified honeybee flora and the attractive price of honey are the best-observed opportunities to increase honey production and productivity. In conclusion, great attention should be given to training and extension programs for beekeepers focusing on honeybee management, pest and predator prevention, and/or control methods. Supporting beekeeping equipments, strict rules and regulations on the use of agrochemicals should be necessary. Further research should be done on the abundance of honey bee flora and the level and effect of poisonous honeybee floras in order to increase the productivity and income of beekeepers.

本研究于2021年9月至11月期间，针对埃塞俄比亚阿姆哈拉州北沃洛地区3个经立意选取的县区展开，旨在明确当地蜜源植物种类，并梳理蜂蜜生产面临的制约因素与发展机遇。本研究基于可及性与养蜂发展潜力，通过立意抽样选取384名养蜂户开展访谈。数据收集采用结构化问卷、半结构化问卷、关键知情人访谈以及焦点小组讨论的方式。

养蜂户反馈，其蜂群的主要来源按占比从高到低依次为购买、收捕分蜂群以及接受他人馈赠。养蜂户多将蜂群安置于庭院区域，饲养的蜂箱按占比从高到低依次为传统蜂箱、活框蜂箱（movable frame hive）与顶条蜂箱（top bar hive）。绝大多数养蜂户采用传统生产模式。本研究共鉴定出29种蜜源植物与12种有毒植物。

研究区域内养蜂业面临的主要挑战包括农用化学品使用、养蜂设备匮乏、病虫害与天敌侵扰。与之相对的是，该区域多样农业生态环境的适宜性、丰富多样的蜜源植物资源，以及蜂蜜价格可观，均为提升蜂蜜产量与生产效率提供了良好发展机遇。

综上，应重点针对养蜂户开展蜜蜂管理、病虫害与天敌防控方法相关的培训与养蜂技术推广项目；配套支持养蜂设备，并出台严格的农用化学品使用监管规定。此外，还需进一步开展蜜源植物丰度、有毒蜜源植物的分布与影响相关研究，以提升养蜂户的生产效率与收入水平。