Profitability and socio-economic analysis of beekeeping and honey production in Karaj state, Iran

Abstract

Despite the extensive beekeeping practices in Karaj state, Iran relevant information related to socio-economic profiles of beekeeping and factors affecting the adoption of improved beekeeping technologies were lacking. To understand these conditions, 176 beekeepers from eight regions were interviewed using exhaustive questionnaires. The objectives of this study were to identify determinants of improved box hive adoption by the beekeepers; and to analyze financial benefits from adopting improved box hive technology. It was found that credit, knowledge, education level of household head, perception and visits to demonstrations positively and significantly influenced adoption of box hive. The average annual productivities of colonies were 8.64±5.54 kg and 3.89±2.52 kg honey/colony/annum for modern and traditional hives, respectively. The average annual household earnings from beekeeping was relatively high ($68,845.6), and contributes to an average of 26.64±28.95% of the total annual income of beekeepers which shows that beekeeping plays a vital role in increasing and diversifying the incomes of rural communities.