Adoption and Intensity of Use of Modern Beehives in Wag Himra and North Wollo Zones, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

The objectives of the study were: (1) to quantify the determinant factors of adoption probability, (2) to evaluate the intensity of modern beehive use, and (3) to identify the major constraints of honey production using modern beehives in Wag Himra and North Wollo zones, Amhara region, Ethiopia. Multi-stage sampling methods were employed. 268 rural beekeepers taken from adopters and non-adopters were interviewed this study using the proportional random sampling method. Among the 268 bee-keepers, 97 (36.19%) were adopters while 171 (63.81%) were non-adopters. Descriptive analysis and the econometric (double-hurdle) model were applied using SPSS-22 and STATA- 12, respectively. The first hurdle result revealed that age, number of livestock owned, educational level, number of local hives beekeepers possessed, training provided, total annual income of bee-keepers, credit service, distance to Woreda agricultural office, extension service, and participation on off-farm activities were the main factors that affected the probability of adoption decision. The second hurdle revealed that age, number of local hives bee-keepers possessed, training provided, credit service, and distance to Woreda agricultural office were the main factors that affected the intensive use of modern beehives. Additionally, pests and predators, drought, and lack of bee equipment and accessories ranked first, second and third major constraints of beekeeping, respectively, which led to bee colonies absconding and honey yield declining. Based on the findings, the authors recommend that the major factors in adoption decision and intensive use of modern beehives should be considered by policymakers and planners in setting their policies and strategies of honey production improvement interventions.