Beekeeping in the context of unsafe agrochemicals use

During 2009/2010, study was carried out to assess agrochemicals use practice and its potential risk on honeybees and beekeeping activities in Seka Chekorsa district of Jimma zone of Oromia. A total of 240 farmer respondents from two rural peasant associations were interviewed using pretested partially structured questionnaires. Focus group discussion was held in the peasant associations for data collection. About 83.3 % of the study participants used different types of agrochemicals (insecticides, herbicides and fungicides) at different levels.50.8%, 22.2%, 13.3%, 7.9%, 3.8% and 2.1% of the respondents did use agrochemicals for fungal, insect, weed, quality product, others and other diseases in decreasing order of importance respectively. Majority of Farmers in the study area have practiced spray form of agrochemicals application as compared to other forms. Even though , there was variability, farmers apply agrochemicals mainly at flowering stage of nearly all cultivated crops. Most of the farmers apply agrochemicals during winter season following irrigation farming in the study area. The respondent farmers confirmed that agrochemicals had affected beekeeping activities in several ways. From the respondents view and field observation in the present study, it is evident to report that agrochemical are recklessly used and do have high risk to beekeeping activities and honeybees population in the study area.
Therefore, all stake takers should cooperate to mitigate agrochemicals use practice impact on honeybee population in the ecosystem. Frequent training has to be provided for both beekeepers and crop growers on the sustainable use of agrochemicals and approaches that will lessen potential harm that might be posed to honeybees due to misuse of agrochemicals. Further study is needed to examine actual impact of agrochemicals on beekeeping and honeybees using a rigorous research approach under laboratory and field conditions.

Keywords: Beekeeping, pesticides survey, honeybee colony, risk assessment.

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How to cite this article:
Desta Abi.Beekeeping in the context of unsafe agrochemicals use: The case of Seka Chekorsa District of Jima Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia.Scientific Research and Reviews, 2022, 15:128. DOI: 10.28933/srr-2021-12-1205

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