Abstract—The aim of this study was to determine factors that influence honey value addition selection choices among smallholder beekeepers. This was against a background where honey value addition is reported to be very low, yet very beneficial in terms of formal market access and increased revenues. A census of all active smallholder beekeepers in the Eastern Cape Province during the period of study was considered for this study. Using descriptive statistics to profile most common value addition initiatives pursued by beekeepers, the study found that liquid honey processing, bottling and beeswax processing were the major value addition pursued by the farmers. Regression estimates revealed that honey value addition selection choices among smallholder beekeepers were mainly conditioned by; gender, household size, group membership, training, quantity of honey harvested, number of colonized hives, access to market information and extension services. Several policy insights were generated mainly focused on institutional and technical support.

 

Index Terms—beekeeping, honey value addition, honey processing

Cite: Tina Hans, Amon Taruvinga, and Abyssinia Mushunje, "Honey Value Addition Initiatives Selection Choices among Smallholder Beekeepers: Case of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa," Journal of Advanced Agricultural Technologies, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 215-221, September 2018. Doi: 10.18178/joaat.5.3.215-221