Alborz province beekeeping and its economic efficiency: A case study of district Karaj, Iran

Abstract

Apis cerana F. is indigenous to Asia and is an important pollinator for Asian ecosystems; the Western honey bee Apis mellifera L. has been introduced to Asia because of its high honey yields. These studies were mainly based on household survey of beekeepers for which a representative sample of farmers with different socio-economic background were selected from different counties of district Karaj in Iran. Data so collected was statistically analyzed and inferences were drawn. Informations were taken on following aspects: socioeconomic profile, age, beekeeping experience, managing level, occupations and technologies contents: colony age, honey production, royal jelly production, etc. distribution of two exotic bee Apis mellifera L. and Apis cerana F. colonies in study areas and challenges.