SURVEY OF HONEY PRODUCTION SYSTEM AND HONEY BEE DISEASE AND PESTS IN EJERE DISTRICT, WEST SHEWA ZONE, OROMIA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
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Date
2017-06
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Abstract
A cross sectional study was undertaken to assess honey production system, identify major beekeeping constraints and determine the association of potential risk factors with occurrence of honeybee diseases, predators and pests at Ejere district of Oromia regional state from November 2016 to May 2017. Questionnaire survey and laboratory diagnostic methods were employed. A total of 90 beekeepers were included in the questionnaire survey. Out of 90 beekeepers interviewed through questionnaire survey, 64.5% had knowledge about honey bee diseases and pests. A total of 384 honey bee colonies were randomly examined for the presence of honeybee external parasites and pathogenic diseases. Regarding honeybee pests and predators, the rank index confirmed that the most important pests and predators affecting honeybee colonies were ants (20.7%), wax moth (18.2%), honey badger (14.4%), spiders (13.1%), termites (12.3%), hive Beetles (7.2%), lizards (7%) and bee eater birds (7%). The major constraints affecting beekeeping development in the study areas in decreasing order were pests and predators (17.5%), high cost of modern hives and accessories (15.5%), agro-chemical application (14.3%), honey bee diseases (11.9%), poor management (10.5%), honeybee colony (10.5%), shortage of bee forage (10.2%) and absconding (9.6%). Out of 384 samples overall prevalence of bee lice, nosema diseases, amoeba diseases, chalk brood diseases were 43.3%, 69.8%, 82.3% and 51.04%, respectively. There was statistically significant (p<0.05) variation in overall prevalence of nosema disease and chalk brood disease between hive type and agro-ecologies. Agro ecological zones and types of hives were identified as risk factors for occurrence of honey bee parasites and diseases. The study demonstrated that honey productions in the study area are hampered by several constraints and disease. Therefore, improvement of honey bee hive management, disease and pests prevention are paramount important. Furthermore, large scale and comprehensive research on constraints and honey bee diseases are highly recommended to set appropriate solution.
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MSc Thesis
Keywords
Disease, Ejere, Honeybees, Pests, Risk factors