Abstract:
The overall objective of this study was to assess the challenges faced by bee farmers of Arapai sub-county in marketing honey by categorizing the types of honey produced, determining the existing channels through which bee farmers' market honey and determining the constraints faced by bee farmers in marketing honey: in Arapai sub-county. A cross sectional survey was carried out in the four parishes of Arapai, Dakabella, Aloet and Odudui with a sample size of 84 respondents. Data from the respondents was collected using a questionnaire as shown in appendix three
Analysis of data found out that; majority of the respondents (46%) were aged between 19-35years as compared to (4%). (40%), (10%) for <18, 36-60 and >60 respectively,(92)% of-the respondents are married and the rest are single (8%),majority of respondents (47%) had traditional beehives and the rest had both traditional and improved beehives; only (43-%) of the respondents started beekeeping more than four years ago; t60%) practiced beekeeping for both product .consumption and income generation; (78%) of the respondents produce non-processed (69%) marketed comb honey followed by strained honey (12%); (78%) did not package their honey; and (19%) faced Competition from bee keepers with improved beehives 'and Lack of market information. Based on the above, the study concluded that bee keeping in, Arapai was still a small scale business based on individual ownership, where most farmers market their honey directly to industrial processors, and lacked market Information. The research recommended; interventions by Government program initiators, NGOs, and private persons in the areas of harvesting up to marketing, packaging materials, advisory, and material services especially honey extractors in order to ease work in honey harvesting extraction and marketing; motivation of more women. to take part in the venture that is owning and marketing of honey and Government to help in carrying out market research for bee products in order to increase incomes of farmers.
