HONEY-BEE PRODUCTION PRACTICES AS A SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD AMONG THE IGBO OF SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Authors: Joy Nneka Uchenye Ejikeme & Chiemerie Valentine Ugwu

ABSTRACT

Rural areas heavily depend on traditional industries for their sustainable livelihood and as their heritage. Beekeeping for honey production is one such traditional industry. It is seen as an alternative source of income for the local people. The paper studied the techniques of honey bee production among Igbo people using Edem-ani, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu state, Nigeria as a case study. The implications of honey bee production to the host communities as their sustainable livelihood were looked at. The work also identified the major constraints faced during honey beekeeping and then, recommendations. Three communities in Edem-ani; Uwani Nkoffi, Uwani Umuchoke, and Owerre were selected using purposive sampling. In-depth interviews and direct observation were used to elicit information from the research subjects: beekeepers, honey sellers, and consumers. Journals and internet materials were secondary data used. The result revealed that beekeeping is a viable business as the majority of the respondents found it very profitable. The findings assist extension workers to come up with more practical solutions to address the needs of the bee farmers in order to have high productivity.

Keywords: Honey bee Production, Practices, Sustainable, Livelihood, Nigeria

REFERENCES

  • Ajao, A.M., Oladimeji, Y.U., Babatunde, S.K.and Obembe, A. (2014) A Study of the Use of Honey and Ethno-biological Components in Nigerian Trado-medical Practices. British Journal of Applied Science & Technology 4(19):2796-2807, SCIENCEDOMAIN international www.sciencedomain.org
  • Akinmulewo, B. O. (2016) Assessment of the Profitability of Improved Agriculture and Its Relationship to Poverty Status in Abuja, Nigeria. Unpublished Dissertation submitted to the School of Postgraduate Studies, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics
  • Alemayehu, K. (2011) Honey Bee Production Practices and Honey Quality Insilti Wereda, Ethiopia. MSc Thesis Submitted to College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, School of Animal and Range Sciences, School of Graduate Studies Haramaya University.
  • Azaiki, A.S. (2003) Inequalities in Nigerian Politics. The Niger Delta Resource Control, Underdevelopment and Youth Restiveness. Treasure Communications Resources Limited
  • Ezeabara, C. A. 1., Okeke, C.U.1., Aziagba, B. O.1 and Ilodibia, C. V. (2013) Bee -Plants Of Southeastern Nigeria: A Review. The Bioscientist: Vol.1 (1):94-98, Available online at: http://www.bioscientistjournal.com
  • Ezekiel, A. A., Olagunju F. I., Olapade-Ogunwole F. (2013) Economics of honey production in Oyo State, Nigeria. Global Advanced Research Journal of Arts and Humanities.2013;2 (2):43-47. Available online http://garj.org/garjah/index.htm
  • Madrid, G., Caguioa, K. Z., Chapap, J., Lopez, M. G., and Ngateb, M. C. (2016) Cultural Ecology. Saint Louis University School of Natural Sciences Sociology (Socio 2) 15:00 – 16:00 TTHS / S411
  • Nayik, G. A., et. al., (2014) Honey: Its History and Religious Significance: A Review, Universal Journal of Pharmacy, Review Article. www.ujponline.com,
  • Ofomata, G.E.K. (1976) “The Nsukka Environment” University of Nigeria Press pp 86-25N
  • Ogboloagha, F. N. (2002) Economic Analysis of Beekeeping in Enugu State of Nigeria, A Dissertation Submitied To The Department Of Agricultural Economics University Of Nigeria, Nsukka, In Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirements For The Award Of Master O’f Scien(;I;:. Degree in Agricultural Economics
  • Ojo, S.O. (2004). Improving Labour Productivity and Technical Efficiency in Food Crop Production. A Panacea for Poverty Reduction in Nigeria. FoodAgriculture and Environment.2 (2): 227-231.
  • Onwubuya, E. A., Ajani, E. N., Ugbajah, M.O and Nenna, M. G. (2013) Using honey production for enhancing household income among rural communities of Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. Scienceweb Publishing, Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research Vol. 1(2), pp. 17-23, Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research Vol. 1(2), pp. 17-23,  Accessed on 21/5/2021 http://www.sciencewebpublishing.net/jacr
  • Onyekuru A.N., Okorji E.C and Machebe, N S (2010) Profitability Analysis of Honey Production in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. ASIAN J. EXP. BIOL. SCI., VOL 1 (1) 2010:166-169, Society of Applied Sciences. Available at http://www.ajeba.com
  • Sacco SJ, Jones AM, Sacco RL. Incorporating global sustainability in the business language curriculum. Global Business Languages. 2014; 19(1):3.
  • The Holy Bible (1972) Mathew & Judges. Authorized King James Version: Oxford University Press, New York.