The contribution of beekeepers to conservation of bee forage trees in Rweikiniro sub-county Ntungamo district south western Uganda
Abstract
A study to evaluate the contributions of beekeepers to the conservation of bee forage trees in
Rweikiniro sub County Ntungamo district was conducted. Thirty beekeepers were purposively
selected from five villages and interviewed, using a pretested questionnaire and record forms.
The data obtained were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics. The results showed that, all
the beekeepers maintained some bee forage tree species on their farms. The conserved bee forage
trees contributed several products such as food, fruits, leaves/fodders, medicine to the
beekeepers. The contribution of bee forage trees to the livelihood of beekeepers was low and
accounted for about 46.7% as indicated in Fig3. As a result the contribution of beekeepers to the
conservation of bee forage trees was low and accounted for about 2.904H as compared to 3.188H
of the previously conserved on farm bee forage trees as indicated in table5. Awareness on the
conservation of bee forage trees and its contributions and economic benefit to beekeepers’
livelihoods should be intensified through both media enlightenment and tree planting campaign.