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Introducing modern beekeeping technologies at monasteries in east Gojjam zone of Amhara regional state, northwestern Ethiopia

Debre Markos University, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Ethiopia

Abstract

The overall objective of this project is to implement Modern Beekeeping Technologies in East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia. Beekeeping provides off farm employment and income-generating opportunities through organising jobless urban and landless rural farmers, youth & women. It is also environmentally sustainable activity by conserving the forest resources via the mutual benefit of the honeybee from the nectar and its cross pollinations. Ethiopia, as located in the horn of Africa, it has a huge potential for beekeeping because of its endowment with diversity in climate, bimodal rains and forest resources that potentially favours them. There are over 7000 various plant species suitable for honey production in Ethiopia. The country has a potential to produce 500,000 tons of honey production annually. However, the production is limited only to 43,000 tons. This huge gap is mainly due to the traditional production system in the country which results in low productivity (FAOSTAT, 2015); (Kenesa T., 2018). That is why the project is initiated to establish apiary within monasteries. Monasteries are independent religious institutions in which monks, priests, and socially disadvantaged groups like land less people, women, pro poor’s, and internal migrants are living together as a community having their own livelihood activities such as group farming, animal husbandry, beekeeping, handicrafts, domestic work, bookbinding and teaching. Besides, forest conservation around monasteries helps to provide grace for itself and sweet aroma for honeybees. Further, monastic communities have influences on the surrounding society through their religious education and socio-economic demonstrations for achieving the intended project impact of enhancing sustainable development.

Keywords: Beekeeping, modern technologies, monastery, sustainable development, traditional technologies

Contact Address: Melesse Zeleke Agegnehu, Debre Markos University, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Debre Markos, Ethiopia, e-mail: melesezeleke9gmail.com