The contribution of beekeeping to the economic well-being of households in Nakasongola district

Abstract

Abstract This study sought to establish the contribution of bee keeping to the economic wellbeing of households in Nakasongola District. Case study: Wabinyonyi Sub-County. The study objectives included; to examine the economic wellbeing of households in Nakasongola District, to determine the level of beekeeping among households in Wabinyonyi Sub County, to assess the contribution of beekeeping to the economic wellbeing of households in Nakasongola District and to establish the challenges that households in Nakasongola District; Wabinyonyi Sub-County face to improve their wellbeing through bee keeping. The study involved both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies where structured and semi structured questions for the questionnaire were used. Interview guides were used to collect information from the beekeepers and the Sub-County farmers’ forum leaders each using a specifically designed tool to suite different categories of people. A questionnaire was used to collect information from the Sub-County Production Office staff. An observation checklist was also used to establish the wealth levels of the beekeeping households using the various indicators as shown in the tool attached in the appendices. A total of 103 respondents were sourced out of a study population of 140 respondents according to Krejcie and morgan (1970) formula of determining the sample size of the respondents. The key respondents included; Beekeepers, Sub-County Production Office Staff and Sub-County Farmers Forum Leaders. Findings from the study include; beekeeping in Nakasongola District has improved the economic wellbeing of people who have engaged in it, the level of engagement in beekeeping in Wabinyonyi Sub-County is at the medium level. The study further more found out that beekeepers in Nakasongola District face some problems like drought, lack of enough training on beekeeping hence lowering the profits earned from bee keeping. In conclusion, ownership of honeybees in Nakasongola District is regarded as an investment and beekeeping has many advantages that help beekeepers to improve their wellbeing. Recommendations given on the basis of the study are the regular and up to date market information which should be channeled to the beekeepers using both mass media and mobile messaging, strengthening of existing beekeepers associations and establishment of new ones among others.