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采用目的抽样法（purposive sampling）遴选的3个区县，旨在探明当地蜜蜂蜜源植物种类，并厘清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，共招募384名养蜂户参与访谈。数据采集采用结构化问卷、半结构化问卷、关键知情人访谈（key informant interview）以及焦点小组讨论（focal group discussions）的方式。
养蜂户反馈，其蜂群的主要来源按占比降序依次为购买、诱捕分蜂群以及他人馈赠。养蜂户多将蜂群安置于住宅后院。他们饲养的蜂箱按使用占比降序依次为传统蜂箱、活框蜂箱（movable frame hive）与顶栏蜂箱（top bar hive），且多数养蜂户采用传统生产模式。
本研究共鉴定出29种蜜蜂蜜源植物与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（agrochemicals）使用、养蜂设备匮乏、病虫害与天敌侵扰。反之，当地多样的农业生态环境适宜性、丰富的多元化蜜源植物资源，以及蜂蜜可观的售价，均为提升蜂蜜产量与生产效率提供了良好机遇。
综上，应重点针对养蜂户开展蜜蜂管理、病虫害与天敌防控相关的培训与推广项目。需为养蜂户提供设备支持，并出台严格的农用化学品使用监管条例。未来还应开展针对蜜源植物丰度、有毒蜜源植物的分布水平与影响的相关研究，以进一步提升养蜂户的生产效率与收入水平。