Honeybee Production and Marketing Systems, Constraints - IPMS ...

2002). Among these A.m. monticlola and A.m. bandasii are widely distributed mostly in high andmid altitude parts of the region. Behaviourally, the migratory tendencies of monticola andbandasii are very low. Even in the absences of food they remain in their nest up to starve todeath. The reproductive swarming tendencies of these bees are also very low. Some coloniesreported to remain 5 to 10 years without having reproductive swarm. Compared to others, thesebees are relatively gentle, which may be due to the fact that they have been kept very close tohuman and livestock for many centuries. The other bee races, jemenitica and scutellata are foundin the western mid and lowland areas of the region. The migratory and reproductive swarmingtendencies of these bees are relatively high and are more defensive. Generally the bees of theregion are fast in population build up and in exploiting resources in erratic environment (BoA,2003).2.5.3 Honeybee Production Systems in EthiopiaEthiopia is blessed with adequate water resources and various honeybee floras, which createfertile ground for the development of beekeeping. Honey hunting and beekeeping have beenpracticed in the country for the exploitation of honey. In places where wild colonies of beesliving in hollow trees and caves are found, honey hunting is still a common practic in Ethiopia.Currently, in the country bee husbandry has been exercised in the following systems:2.5.3.1 Migratory BeekeepingHives are systematically migrated for honey production, and also for crop pollination. Migrationof hives is often a profitable way of extending the honey flow period, provided there aretransport facilities that make it possible.Migratory beekeeping (in common language the word for migratory beekeeping istranshumance) can be especially worthwhile where there is a succession of flowering seasons ina country that extends over a range of latitudes and altitudes of which Ethiopia is an idealcountry.13