1. INTRODUCTION1.1. Background of the StudyAfrica is blessed with numerous types of wild honeybee (Adjare, 1990). Ethiopia is one of thecountries of the continent which own big honey production potential. Owing to its variedecological and climatic conditions, Ethiopia is home to some of the most diverse flora andfauna in Africa. Its forests and woodlands contain diverse plant species that provide surplusnectar and pollen to foraging bees (Girma, 1998). Beekeeping is one of the oldest farmingpractices in the country. There is an ancient tradition for beekeeping in Ethiopia whichstretches back into the millennia of the country’s early history (Girma, 1998). Of all countriesin the world probably no country has a longer tradition of beekeeping than Ethiopia(Hartmann, 2004). It has been practiced traditionally. Moreover, beekeeping is an appropriateand well-accepted farming technology and it is best suited to extensive range of ecosystems oftropical Africa. To date, over 10 million of bee colonies are existing, which include both feral,and hived ones (Ayalew, 2001).

Ethiopia is the largest honey producer in Africa and 10th largest honey producer all over theworld. Also considerable amount of wax is produced in the country. On a world level,Ethiopia is fourth in beeswax and tenth in honey production (Girma, 1998). Ethiopia, havingthe highest number of bee colonies and surplus honey sources of flora, is the leading producerof honey and beeswax in Africa. Ethiopia produces around 23.6% and 2.1% of the total Africaand World’s honey, respectively.

The total honey production of Ethiopia is estimated up to 24000 metric tones; only a smallamount of this is marketed. Besides poor marketing conditions the main reason is that about80% of the total Ethiopian honey production goes in to the local Tej-preparation, a honeywine, which consumed as national drink in large quantities (Hartmann, 2004).

2However, the products obtained from this sub sector are still low as compared to the potentialof the country. Although thousands of tones of honey are produced every year it is usuallypoorly managed and unattractive in appearance. Because of this its place in the local marketbeing taken by imported honey. Moreover, traditional hive honey is of good quality as long asit is in the hive. Faulty handling, from the time of its harvest until it reaches to market isresponsible for its inferior quality. The type of hives used the methods of removing andstorage of honey play a vital role in the quality of honey (Crane 1970, as cited by Edessa,2005).

Ethiopia’s wide climatic and edaphic variability have endowed this country with diverse andunique flowering plants, thus making it highly suitable for sustaining a large number of beecolonies and the long established practice of beekeeping. Nevertheless, the bees and the plantsthey depend on, like all renewable natural resources, are constantly under threat from lack ofknowledge and appreciation of these endowments (Girma, 1998).

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