ASSESSMENT OF HONEY PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES IN SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF KWARA STATE

Abstract

The study focussed on the assessment of honey production techniques in selected local governments areas of Kwara State. The statistical population was the bee keepers/apiculturists in the selected local government areas in Kwara State, Nigeria. The respondents were selected based on their willingness to participate in the study. In all Eighteen (18) beekeepers participated in the study. The instruments of data collection were direct observation of the apiary farms and interview of the bee keepers. The proximate content of the samples of honey obtained were carbohydrate content, moisture content, ash content, acidic content, protein content. The stratified sampling technique was used in selection of the respondents from the study areas. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA); there is significant difference (p < 0.05) between the modern techniques of honey production and quality of honey produced in the study areas, there is also significant difference (p < 0.05) between the vegetation found around Asa, Ilorin west ,Ilorin east ,Moro local government and quality of honey produced in the study areas. The result from this study showed that most of the beekeepers had experience of 6 to 10years, while they make use of modern hive. The main reason why they produce honey is for commercial purpose. The major opportunities for beekeeping in this study include: high demand for local honey by traders and consumers, which placed socioeconomic value to the honey produced. Whereas, the major constraints of beekeeping in this study is environmental condition which includes: deforestation of natural forests in the study areas, unfavorable weather conditions, poor management and marketing, shortage of bee forage, lack and death of bee colonies, inadequate access to training, absconding/migration of bee colonies, swarming and poisoning due to application of pesticides. The quality of honey produced in the study area is high and hygienic. It is concluded that modern techniques of honey production is more efficient and hygienic than traditional technique. It is recommended that government should assist with soft loans.