Socio-economic and technical characteristics of beekeeping in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

摘要

Between April 1998 and August 2000, a survey was carried out to assess socio-economic and technical characteristics of beekeeping in the Western Highlands Cameroon (LN 3-5 deg; LE 8-20 deg). A total of 39 beekeepers were investigated through both interviews and a structure questionnaire. The main results were as followed: Beekeepers are still essentially male (97.0 percent) aged 18 to 58 with an average of 38 years old. All of them are educated. Many beekeepers (52.0 percent) have received trainingwith at least 5 years experience in beekeeping. The purpose of the activity is to improve household income. The average number of hives per beekeeper is 42 varying from 2 to 300. Improved hives are used by 43.3 percent of the beekeepers, but traditionaltypes of hive are still more frequently used. Colonisation of hives is based only on capturing of natural swam between September and March, the most favourable period of the year for this region, using different types of bait, wax being the most frequently used. Hive colonisation rate is relatively low (64.4 percent), being higher for traditional hives compared to improved ones (78.5 and 43.3 percent respectively). Honey, the major hive product exploited is harvested once a year (from March to July) with an average of 6 to 10 liters of honey per colony and per year. The gain is estimated to 10 500 - 10 750 and 18 750 - 19 000 FCFA per hive and per year respectively for traditional and improved hives. The major constraints to beekeeping in the survellled area are lack of training, bee's enemies and diseases. However, the majority of beekeepers would like to continue the activity and wish to improve their technicity, increase the number of hives and become professionals.