Economic Analysis of Honey Production in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

This study carried out the economic analysis of honey production in Ondo and Osun States, Southwest Nigeria. Seven Local Government Areas, and one town in each of these Local Government Areas were randomly selected for the study based on the preliminary investigations which indicated that honey production is widely practised in these areas. Sampling population was obtained from membership list of Beekeepers’ Association in each town. Ten honey producers were randomly selected from the list containing 50 honey producers in each of the towns chosen in Ondo State while 25 were randomly selected from the list consisting of 125 honey producers in each of the towns in Osun State. Primary data were obtained from honey producers through the administration of questionnaires using face-to-face interview. A total of 100 honey producers were interviewed. The study indicates that honey production in Ondo State is above poverty line; whereas it falls below poverty line in Osun State. In addition, honey production is economically viable in the two states with cost- benefit ratio of 1.74. So, the unemployed graduates and the people in the rural areas can be encouraged to adopt beekeeping as a source of their livelihood.