ASSESSMENT OF CONTRIBUTION OF APICULTURAL PRACTICES TO HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2013
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International Journal of cience and Nature
Abstract
Agriculture and biotechnology including beekeeping offers an unexploited succor capable of salvaging the people from
abject hunger and poverty. Honey bee and its products are frequently used in diverse ways and contribute to agricultural
development through crop pollination and income to farmers. The study examined contribution of apiculture practices to
household income and poverty alleviation in Patigi and Irepodun areas of kwara State, Nigeria. A random sampling
technique was used to select 120 bee farmers for the study. Primary data were obtained with the aid of structured
questionnaire and interview schedule. Descriptive statistics, gross margin and OLS model were employed in data analysis.
The results revealed that bee farmers were at productive age with mean age of 45 years. The literacy rate was very low
while the bulk of the bee farmers had subsidiary occupations to supplement their income. Average net return per litre of
honey produced ranges from ₦1200 to ₦1500 while average income per season per colony ranges from ₦7500 to
₦10000.The postulate explanatory variables explained 72.5% in the variation of volume of bee produced. However, all the
explanatory variables included in the factors affecting bee farmer income explained 81.4% in the variations in income
earned by bee farmer. Given the opportunity and amazing potentials for widening export base for apiculture in Kwara
State, it was recommended that the government at all levels should provide social services and ensure that bee farmers are
educated to ensure proper understanding of indices of bee production with attendance boost in honey.