An assessment of contribution of beekeeping activities to household food security

The study was conducted to find out the contribution of beekeeping activities to household food security through increased income in Kapiri Mposhi district of Central Province in Zambia. The study aims to know the challenges of beekeeping activity.

The study found that the effect of beekeeping activities on net income was positive. The income to investment ratio was higher and the cost-output ratio was lower. Before taking up beekeeping activity 42.18 percent households were having food security problem But after taking up beekeeping activity 100 percent households were having food security. The study revealed that the beekeeping farmers were having several challenges like lack of appropriate beekeeping skills, financial and infrastructure. The study suggested for training them in using modern techniques of honey production and marketing, besides providing loan by banks/micro finance institutions against the quantity of honey production as collateral. The study also recommended for fixing the minimum price of honey by Government and purchasing of honey by the relevant Government Agency, on par with the Food Reserve Agency.