Organic Beekeeping Practices by Bee Farmers in Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu Imo State, Nigeria

The objective of this paper was to examine the organic beekeeping practices by bee farmers in Owerri, Orlu, and Okigwe, Imo State, Nigeria, using appropriate standard methods, including a structured interview schedule. The results showed that the farmers participated in beekeeping to produce bee products, supplement their income, provide pollination services, and conserve biodiversity. Farmers obtained information on beekeeping through various sources, including websites and databases, books and journals, newspapers, magazines, and fliers, and trade shows and exhibitions, among others. The farmers knew that hives should be made from natural materials, hives should be kept away from places where agrochemicals are used, colonies should have access to adequate and uncontaminated water, and the extraction of materials from the comb follows organic principles. The organic beekeeping practices used by the farmers included the use of organic beeswax, organic bees, minimal smoking, and no destruction of bees and combs. The barriers to practicing organic beekeeping were limited access to water ( = 3.5, SD = 0.8), bee abscondment ( = 3.4, SD = 0.8), high cost of equipment ( = 3.4, SD = 0.9) and climate change ( = 3.3, SD = 1.0). The paper recommends routine training on organic beekeeping by extension agents.