Beekeeping Calendar and Identification of Honeybee Floras for Honey Production in Different Agro-Ecologies of SNNPR, Ethiopia

Mohammed Biramo and Demelash Belayneh

Background and Objective: Identifying honeybee plants and creating a beekeeping calendar are crucial for beekeeping development. This study aimed to identify major and minor honeybee plants and their flowering seasons and establish a beekeeping calendar for honey production in various agro-ecological districts in Southern Ethiopia. Materials and Methods: A quantitative survey research design with stratified random sampling was used to obtain data from 100 farmers; 20 farmers from each kebele were interviewed from the five kebele of the two study woreda. The collected data were presented in tables with descriptive analysis. Results: The presence of both major and minor honeybee plants, serving as sources of nectar and pollen was revealed. Besides, distinct flowering seasons, leading to two honey-harvesting periods in the region were identified. In the Wolaita Zone (Humbo District), the main honey-harvesting season occurs from October to November, with a secondary season from April to May. In the Dawro Zone (Loma District), the primary harvest spans from October to January, while the minor season extends from March to June. Conclusion: Different major and minor honeybee plants that provide nectar and pollen for honeybees throughout the year and constraints of beekeeping and honey production were identified in study areas.

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