Economic Analysis Of Beekeeping In The Jasikan District Of The Volta Region

ABSTRACT Agriculture in the Jasikan District in recent times is predominantly based on arable crop production, using traditional slash and burn techniques, which encourages extensification. There is the need for the development of sustainable agricultural practices that will not require new land but could still be incorporated into the farm business and be a source of income for farmers. Beekeeping has been identified as one such sustainable agricultural practice in the district. Unfortunately there is no study to substantiate the profitability of the venture, and the efficiency of resource use in the district. This therefore motivated the study into the economic analysis of beekeeping in the district. Data was collected from 82 beekeepers using a random sampling method. The information collected span personal characteristics, production information, marketing functions and problems of beekeepers. Profitability analysis showed that each cedi invested in beekeeping business in the district yields 3.5 cedis. Also B/C ratios computed from budget analysis for some food crops in the district revealed that on the basis of seasonal production, beekeeping is more profitable than cassava, maize and cassava intercrop, plantain, yam, minor season maize, groundnut and cowpeas, taking each as a unit. Resource use efficiency analysis showed that apiary size and capital were underutilized in the district. Marketing functions for honey are generally not well developed in the district. The constraints to the beekeeping production in the district range from absconding of bees, faulty equipment, slow rate of colonization and marketing of honey to financial constraints that hinder them from expanding.