Determinants of Box Hive Promotion and Financial Benefits in Selected District Of Ethiopia

Though beekeeping is a common farming enterprise and income generating activity in Atsbi Wemberta district, and promotional efforts have been made to improve it, no systematic study has been undertaken to evaluate the promotional efforts and people’s response to it. The objectives of this study were to identify determinants of improved box hive adoption by the beekeepers; and to analyze financial benefits from adopting improved box hive technology. It was found that credit, knowledge, education level of household head, perception and visits to demonstrations positively and significantly influenced adoption of box hive. Hence, Linking honey producers to stable and reliable markets and following a participatory value chain based approach; promoting private entrepreneurs to provide additional services for value addition; promoting farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing; and encouraging farmer groups create a learning environment are some initiatives that could go a long way in the sustainable development of this important economic sub-sector.