165 Citation: Mahamed A, Abdimahad K, Abdilahi A, Hassen G, Hassen M, Omer A. (2022). Traditional Management Practices and Production Potential of Beekeeping in Erer Zone of Somali Regional State, Ethiopia. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 12(3): 165-175. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2022.22 2022 SCIENCELINE Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research Volume 12, Issue 3: 165-175; May 30, 2022 ISSN 2228-7701 TRADITIONAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND PRODUCTION POTENTIAL OF BEEKEEPING IN ERER ZONE OF SOMALI REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA Abdulahi MAHAMED  , Kawnin ABDIMAHAD , Abdi ABDILAHI , Guled HASSEN , Mahamed HASSEN , and Aden OMER Department of Animal and Range Sciences, College of Dry Land Agriculture, Jigjiga University, Jigjiga, P.O.BOX 1020, Ethiopia  Email: abuu6973@gmail.com  Supporting Information ABSTRACT: The study was carried out in Erer zone, Somali Region of Ethiopia, to assess beekeeping practices and production. A total of 156 respondents were selected randomly from two purposively selected localities based on beekeeping potential and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire. The study revealed the majority of the respondents (85.9%) practiced traditional beekeeping system and hung their hives on trees away from the homestead in dense forest. The honeybee flora of the area consists mostly of nectar and pollen-producing trees and shrubs including Grewia tenax, Grewia penicillata, Acaciamellifera, Acaciareficiens, Acaciatortilis, Acaciasenegal, and Acaciahorrida. The average honey yield from traditional beehives was 4.85 kg, which is less than the national average yield (5 kg). The average honey yield from modern beehives, on the other hand, was 7.29 kg which is lower the amount obtained from other parts of the country. The major constraints of beekeeping are the high cost of modern hives and accessories, pests and predators of honey bees, water scarcity, shortage of bee forage, bee absconding and marketing. Birds, ants, spiders, wax moth, mice, lizards, and honey badgers were identified as the major honeybee pests and predators based on beekeeper responses. Pests and predators (37.8%), destroying nests during honey harvesting (26.9%), water scarcity (21.2%), and shortage of bee forage (14.1%) were the most common reasons for honeybee absconding. Beekeeping production remains low due to these constraints and traditional practices in the area. However, there is enormous potential and opportunity to increase honeybee production in the area. To improve the quantity and quality of honey yield in the area, significant extension and technical intervention, use of locally available beekeeping technologies, appropriate measures to manage honeybee pests and absconding, and training to enrich beekeepers' knowledge are necessary to be implemented. Keywords: Bee forage, Beekeeper, Beekeeping practice, Hive, Honey production. RESEARCH ARTICLE PII: S222877012200022-12 Received: April 02, 2022 Revised: May 27, 2022 Accepted: May 28, 2022 INTRODUCTION Beekeeping is an important component of agriculture and rural development program of many countries. It helps to provide security in nutrition, economy and ecology (Jeil et al., 2020; Güler, 2021). Besides, it does not compete with other resources in the farming system, it is income generation activity and supplement annual income for the beekeepers through sell of bee products (honey, beeswax, and bee colonies). It also serves as a healthy food for consumers (FAO, 2015). Ethiopia is the home of diverse fauna due to its varied ecological and climatic conditions (Beyene et al., 2016). This is the prime reason for the availability of large colony numbers in the country. In Ethiopia, three types of beehives (traditional, intermediate, and improved) are known, with more than 10 million colonies, from which more than 90% are traditional hives (CSA, 2021). Ethiopia is endowed with diverse agro-climatic zones, which are suitable for honey production. The total annual honey production in the country is estimated about 129 million kilograms of which the greater portion is harvested from traditional beehives (CSA, 2021). Thus, while the country is a principal producer of honey, it has the potential to improve yields and harvest more if existing beekeepers are able to overcome significant issues regarding inputs, technical skills, and climate change adaptation ( Dong et al., 2016; Gratzer et al., 2021). In order to exploit the country’s production potential, the government has given consideration to developing the beekeeping subsector as a strategy for the reduction of poverty and the diversification of export commodities (Shapiro et al., 2015). Attention is also given to upgrading the knowledge and skill of developmental agents and beekeepers so that they can develop better apicultural knowledge and skills that enable them to improve traditional beekeeping and increase the production of hive products (Girma et al., 2008). Furthermore, various non-governmental organizations intervene to assist DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51227/ojafr.2022.22