Honey Value Chain Analysis in East Guji Zone, Southern Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

The study was conducted in three districts of east Guji zone to analyze honey value chain. Guji zone has the external favorable environmental conditions that are in favor of honey production and marketing. However, current knowledge on honey product value chain is lacking. A total of 120 households were interviewed by using semi-structured questionnaire, key informant interview using checklists were primary data collection methods. The data were collected from 11 traders and 14 honey consumers by using interviewed. The collected data was analyzed by using SPSS. The major honey value chain actors in the study area was identified input suppliers, producers, local collectors, cooperatives, wholesalers, retailers, processors and final consumers of the product. The study result showed that honey producers was constrained by Pests and Predators, absconding, lack of Bee forage, agro-chemical application, lack of beekeeping equipments, lack of institutional linkage, marketing constraints and lack of modern input supply and traditional hives bought to high price from local market. While governmental and non-governmental- organizations are identified honey value chain supporters in the study areas. Four market channels were identified. From identified honey marketing channels (producers - collectors – cooperatives – processors - consumer) are the major share of honey goes to marketing through channel II. The study suggests that beekeeping and districts agricultural development agents through provision of appropriate training and formation of beekeeper unions and cooperatives to address problems and strengthening linkage/interaction among honey value chain actors, and supportive institutions.