Investigation of Effects of Insecticides on Beekeeping at Sebeta Oromia Region Ethiopia
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Date
2025-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Beekeeping is an essential farming practice in Ethiopia with significant contributions to rural livelihoods, environmental equilibrium, and plant pollination. However, intensive use of insecticides poses a serious threat to sustainable apiculture. The present study analyses the effects of the use of pesticides on beekeeping operations and honeybee health in four purposively selected kebeles—Furi Gerabollo, Sebeta Atebela, Dimma, and Caffe Hora—in Sebeta district, Oromia Region. Data were collected through a standardized questionnaire of beekeeper households, key informants like agriculture experts from total of 180 respondents. Findings show that 81% of beekeepers reported pesticide application near their apiaries, with 77% observing increased bee mortality and 61% reporting hive colony loss or absconding in recent years. Four prevalent agrochemicals were encountered in use: Megaban 48 EC (chlorpyrifos-ethyl), Herb 720 SL (2,4-D amine salt), Matco (a general-purpose product), and Glymax (glyphosate). These pesticides, especially when sprayed at flower stage of crops, were most directly implicated in colony losses experienced. Ground spraying such as chickpea, lentils (56.1%) and aerial spraying such as wheat,teff (39.4%), methods known to increase pesticide drift to secondary locations like bee forage and hive sites, comprised most applications. Though most farmers used pesticides only 1–3 times annually, they tended to coincide with the peak activity of bees and thus insulted injury. Institutional support was also deficient since only 14% were offered technical advice, whereas 68.3% were not notified in advance before spraying. Interviews and photo data further confirmed ecological hazards and economic losses for smallholder beekeepers. The study concludes that pesticide application is a primary driver of the declining health and productivity of bees in Sebeta, and that beekeeping in the district continues to be extremely sensitive unless regulatory control, improved farmer training, and community-based protection measures are applied. Thus, the study calls to attention an urgent policy need, education of farmers, and promotion of safer alternatives like biopesticides to offer sustainable apiculture and protect pollinators in agroecosystems.
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Keywords
Beekeeping, Pesticides, Chlorpyrifos, Glyphosate, 2, 4-D, Agrochemical Drift, Honeybee Mortality, Colony Collapse, Sebeta, Oromia, Pollinator Health, Biopesticides, Ethiopia