Abstract

The study was conducted in Gomma district South west Ethiopia to assess the various opportunities and its constraints of beekeeping in the area. For this study, 6 Peasant Associations (PAs) were selected using systematic random sampling technique and interviewed using pre-tested structured questionnaires. The opportunities for beekeeping in the study areas were the existence and abundance of honeybee, availability of potential flowering plants, ample sources of water for bees, beekeepers' experience and practices and socio-economic value of honey. In addition to this study, it was observed that the major challenges of beekeeping were lack of knowledge, presence of pests and predators, lack of bee forage, pesticide poisoning, absconding, lack of beekeeping equipment and materials. More study is also required to characterize the honey bees of the area and major pests and diseases of economic importance.

Key words: Challenges and opportunities in beekeeping, honey production, predators and disease, poisonous plants.