Abstract

N. K. Adedeji and Omoba O. Joseph

This research work was carried out to analyze profitability of honey production in Esan North East LGA of Edo State Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the socio-economic characteristics of honey production, examine the costs and returns of honey production, access the profitability and problems facing honey production. Questionnaire was administered on 50 randomly selected respondents in five (5) communities within Edo North Local Government area. Ten respondents were selected from each community. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency tables and percentages) and gross margin analysis. The obtained results showed that the majority (98%) of the respondents were male, 100% of the respondents were married and were literate. The study further revealed that 76% of the respondents had less than 5 years of experience. There is no adequate link between the extension workers and the honey producers as only 6% of the respondents were visited by the extension workers. The estimated net profit was N58,864 per honey producer and was considered relatively high. The cost of hive, lack of fund, absconding of bees, effect of whether, infestation and lack of flowering plants were the major problems encountered in honey production. It was recommended that government should assist interested worthy bee farmers with loan or provide necessary materials at subsidized rate.