Assessing honey production value chain in Lira Sub-county, Lira District, northern Uganda

Abstract

Abstract
A study was conducted to assess honey production value chain with a view of improving household incomes in Lira sub-county, Lira district, Uganda. A total of 60 respondents were used for the study in four different parishes of the sub county. Data were collected using structured questions, observations, and interviews. Secondary sources of data were also reviewed.
Most respondents who kept bees were males, were between 26-30 years and had little formal education. Local beehive usage was higher than modern beehives. The number of colonized beehives was more than that of either un-colonized or absconded beehives. Local beehives were more colonized than improved beehives. The majority of respondents used fire during harvesting honey, did not process their honey and used plastic bottles and Jericans as packaging materials. Most respondents indicated that honey bees depended on natural forage sources for honey production, although some planted forages or supplemented forages with sugar syrup, maize and cassava flour. The main water sources for bees were swamps and morning dew. Honey was mainly sold to vendors in trading centres, while the least quantity of honey was sold to supermarkets. Apiculture contributed more income to households compared to other livestock species. The investment in apiculture per hectare was also higher than other livestock species. Lack of knowledge and skills and poor harvesting techniques were the major limitations to honey production. Beekeeping industry in Uganda calls for committed men and women who are business minded to work with all the stakeholders along the value chain to bring commercialization of beekeeping and marketing of honey and by-products to a reality.