Factors influencing organic honey production level and marketing: evidence from southwest Ethiopia

The primary aim of this study was to identify factors influencing natural honey production and marketing constraints in Kafa, Sheka, Bench- Sheko, and West Omo zones which covered 23 woredas and 69 kebeles. Primary and secondary sources of data were utilized for this study. Both qualitative and quantitative data types were employed. Data were collected from 94, 134, 118, and 39 respondents that were selected randomly from Bench- Sheko, Kaffa, Sheka, and West-Omo Zones respectively, based on probability proportional to the sample size. The collected data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and a multiple linear regression model. The dominant honey production practice in the study area was the use of traditional beehives. The productivity of traditional, transitional, and modern beehives was 9, 16, and 22 kg per hive. Major constraints that affect honey production include lack of modern technology (92.5%), absconding (69.5%), pests and predators (46.8%), lack of credit access (28.3%), poor extension service (57.4%), lack of beekeeping equipment's (45.2%) and death of colony (38.05). Similarly, poor market linkage (84.1%), lack of market information (66.2%), poor infrastructure (61.5%), low price of product (60.7%), weak bargaining power of farmers (37.5%), long-distance to market (88.4%), shortage of packing and storage materials (57.6%), presence of illegal traders (53.5%) and absence of branding (60.3%) are factors that influence honey marketing in the study area. The econometric result showed that variable cost, age of the respondent, marital status, experience, and hive number owned influence the level of honey production. The policy should focus on creating access to modern honey bee technologies, providing capacity building for producers, organizing cooperatives, providing credit services, promoting the involvement of private sectors, establishing linkages among honey producers, researchers, and private sectors.