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Selection and Performance Evaluation of Local Honeybee (Apis mellifera bandasii) for Stock Improvement in Ethiopia
Taye Negera,
Zewudu Ararso,
Kibebew Wakjira
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2020
Pages:
42-46
Received:
24 June 2020
Accepted:
6 August 2020
Published:
13 August 2020
Abstract: Human management and selective breeding are believed to improve many economically important strains of a given honeybee population to benefit the beekeepers. Selective breeding is supposed to be a promising way to estimate value of stock improvement elsewhere, though it is not a common practice in our local honeybees. Thus, to evaluate, select and maintain the best performing stock of local honeybee colonies based on different performance parameters, we obtained 120 honeybee colonies of Apis mellifera bandasii from local beekeepers within traditional hives and transferred into movable frame hive at two apiaries. All the transferred colonies were managed properly to establish themselves and acquire uniform strength. At each of the two sites 50 colonies with similar resources (brood, nectar and pollen) and colony strengths were selected and maintained under continues follow-ups for data collections. The colonies were evaluated for different parameters such as brood development, brood solidness, hygienic behavior and honey yield. The results of the study indicated that honeybee colonies after selection showed significant differences in brood solidness, hygienic behaviors and honey yield compared to honeybee’s population before selection. This study revealed a 42% increment in honey yield only due to selecting and rearing of queens from the best performing lines. Moreover, brood quality (solidness) and hygienic behavior of local honeybee colonies were significantly improved from 86.6 to 94.3% and 86.0% to 91.2% due to selection. From this practical point of view, it is possible to conclude that there is a possibility of improving the production performance of native stock through selection and breeding of maternal lines.
Abstract: Human management and selective breeding are believed to improve many economically important strains of a given honeybee population to benefit the beekeepers. Selective breeding is supposed to be a promising way to estimate value of stock improvement elsewhere, though it is not a common practice in our local honeybees. Thus, to evaluate, select and ...
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Side Effects of Agro-chemicals on Beekeeping in East and West Gojjam Zones of Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Bizuayehu Ayele,
Abebe Jenberie,
Mussie Haylemelekot,
Workneh Ayalew
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2020
Pages:
47-55
Received:
9 June 2020
Accepted:
24 June 2020
Published:
17 August 2020
Abstract: The study was conducted in West and East Gojjam Zones of Amhara Region Ethiopia to determine commonly used agro-chemicals and timing of applications, their effects on honeybee by itself and beekeeper farmers used cultural practices to minimize agro-chemical side effects on honeybee; Questionnaire survey methods, key informants interview and focus group discussion were used for the study. In the questionnaire survey, 384 respondent beekeepers from 4 Woredas, 20 Kebeles (376 male and 8 female) were interviewed. Descriptive, frequency with SPSS version 20 were used. The majority of farmers spray herbicides before blooming in August and insecticides at diseases and pests observed in October, November and December. Surprisingly, almost all respondents interviewed (98.7%) have confirmed that they know the negative effects of agro-chemicals on the health status and life of the honeybee. Apparently pesticides have been causing considerable damage by killing honeybees and causing yield decline due to miss use of agrochemicals. 90.9% of the non-beekeepers who use agro-chemical had no willingness to use non-chemical or alternative mechanisms to control pests and weeds. The main reported reason for the non-beekeepers not informing others about their plan to apply agro-chemicals is their laziness and jealousy; only 8.1% of respondents have willingness to use non-chemical or cultural weed and pest control mechanisms to save honeybee colonies as well as to keep their farmlands as organic. Overall the level of cooperation between beekeepers and non-beekeepers with regard to responsible use of agro-chemicals is very weak and certainly not considerate of mutual benefits and environmental protection. Essential to capacitate beekeepers in terms of technical knowledge and skills to better manage and need concerted action to develop appropriate agro-chemical application modalities that minimize side effects on honeybees and economic losses would be recommended.
Abstract: The study was conducted in West and East Gojjam Zones of Amhara Region Ethiopia to determine commonly used agro-chemicals and timing of applications, their effects on honeybee by itself and beekeeper farmers used cultural practices to minimize agro-chemical side effects on honeybee; Questionnaire survey methods, key informants interview and focus g...
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Characterization of Village Chicken Production and Marketing Systems in Chiro District, West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2020
Pages:
56-62
Received:
8 January 2020
Accepted:
3 August 2020
Published:
19 August 2020
Abstract: The study was conducted to generate comprehensive information on village chicken production, management and marketing systems in Chiro district of West Harerghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Majority of the respondents in the study area were female (66.7%). The largest proportions of household heads in the study area (70%) were illiterate. the overall household income in the study area was generated from agriculture (76.7%). Among agricultural activities, livestock production was contributed 53.3% for the household income. The entire households in the study area were kept exotic chicken ecotype. The major sources of that chicken were gift from governments (60%). Most of the household in the study area was practiced backyard chicken production systems (73.3%). The major objective of raising chicken in the study area was egg production (80%) and Meat production (10%). The majority of the households in the study area were practiced semi-extensive management systems (60%). The entire households in the study area were providing supplementary feed and water for their chicken. The main reason for providing supplementary feed was to increase egg yield (70%) followed by shorting of broodiness (23.3%). the entire households in the study area were hatching the egg by using natural incubation hence broody hens used as a natural incubation. Most of the households in the study area were sold their chicken through formal market (63.3%) for the consumers (83.3%). The major constraints of chicken marketing in the study area were instable chicken price, poor sales/demand seasonality, poor infrastructure, lack of credit /financial support and lack of market place. This finding was put baseline for understanding about production, management and marketing practices of village chicken and serve as a base for designing a sustainable chicken production and management strategies in the study area.
Abstract: The study was conducted to generate comprehensive information on village chicken production, management and marketing systems in Chiro district of West Harerghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Majority of the respondents in the study area were female (66.7%). The largest proportions of household heads in the study area (70%) were illiterate....
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