The effects of agrochemical applications on honeybee production was studied in Tigray regional state to assess the types of agrochemicals and their effects on honeybee colonies using a questionnaire survey and observation methods. From the 384 beekeepers interviewed, 52.3% of them are recognized as pesticides users. Moreover, there was significant variation in use of agrochemicals among beekeepers in the study districts (p<0.01). Agrochemicals were used for a variety of purposes such as: pest and weed control, veterinary use and anti-malaria. A Majority of the respondents apply the chemicals during the morning time, followed by day time, or evening, and at any convenient time throughout the day. The financial loss from both honey and colony lost within the four years due to indiscriminate use of pesticides was estimated as a total of 3.9 million ETB from 572 honeybee colonies and on average 0.9 million ETB from 143 honeybee colonies every year. Therefore, there should be strong communication between beekeepers and crop growers while spraying. It is important to advise people honey bees are important to biodiversity and agricultural production and applying less hazardous chemicals to honey bees before blooming and when honey bees are not foraging in the field.

Keywords: Agrochemicals, Honeybee loss, Pesticidal effects, Pesticidal use policies