EVALUATION OF APICULTURAL PRACTICES IN MITIGATING

CLIMATE CHANGE FOR SUSTAINABLE HONEY PRODUCTION IN

OKITIPUPA, ONDO STATE.

BY

Dr. Bamigboye, E. O and Oladeji Keziah Omotola, Department of

Agricultural Economics and Extension, OlusegunAgagu University of

Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondostate, Nigeria.

 ABSTRACT

This study evaluated five bee products for their potentials to attract the west

African honey bees Apis Mellifera Adansonilcolony into artificial hives and

their effect on agricultural practices in mitigating the effect of climate change in

honey bee production. 20 grams each of propolis, bee wax, gum and locust

beans and 15ml of pure natural honey were applied at the flight entrance, walls

of the hives and on the frames. Data were collected on hive colonization, colony

weight gain, honey yield absconding and agricultural practices parameter.

Statistical analysis of the data was carried out using analysis of variance and

means were separated with turkey HSD of 5% level of probability.

Foundation wax baited hives were the first to be colonized (14 days) post hive

installation (DPI), followed by honey lotion (24day DPI). Foundation wax

however had the highest percentage colonization (65.5%) which was also

significantly (D 0.0J) different from 33.33% observed in the bathing materials.

Provision of additional water source reduced the rate of absconding during the

dry season. Whereas, provision of additional honey food two months after the

colonization enhanced the yield of honey and dryness of comb.

In this study, provision of supplement water source for bees enhanced colony

stability and honey yield and is therefore recommended as an excellent

agricultural practice to mitigate the effect of climate change on colony stability

and honey yield.

Keyword: Climate change, Bee- farming, honey production, honey products,

Ecosystem
 INTRODUCTION
Climate change manifests through various phenomena, including altered precipitation

patterns, temperature extremes, and increased frequency of extreme weather events, all of

which profoundly affect man and animals alike. The ramifications of these changes extend to

species abundances and vital life activities, including reproduction, microhabitat utilization as

well as beekeeping practices and honey production (Smith et al., 2020; Jones & Brown,

2021). Species exhibit shifts in geographic distribution patterns influenced by factors such as

environmental tolerance, local food availability, and interspecies interactions (Smith et al.,

2020). In the face of the ongoing climate crisis, species are confronted with limited options to

sustain their daily routines, leading to dwindling populations and survival challenges (Jones

& Brown, 2021; Johnson et al., 2022). Consequently, adaptation to existing or novel habitats

and evolutionary adjustments to climatic shifts become imperative for species to evade

extinction (Johnson et al., 2022; Garcia & Martinez, 2023).

Insects are the dominant species in diversity, abundance, and biomass (Patel et al.,

2021). Along with several other environmental services, the insect class includes some

species carrying out pollination for agricultural productivity, continuing biodiversity, and

landscape conservation. Majority of theses insects can contribute to pollination by

transferring pollen from one plant to another. However, the most intense pollination is carried

out by flies, butterflies, and moths; some wasps, beetles, and thrips; and, of course, bees.

There are approximately 20,000 species of bees within seven families and according to

(Conrad et al., 2021), the greatest diversity of bees is found in the northern hemisphere due to

bees’ preferences for moderate temperatures. Bees challenge the distribution patterns of most

animal and plant species, which have historically shown a preference for warm, tropical

weather conditions (Orr, et al., 2021). Shifts in floral phenology disrupt the synchronization

between flowering periods and bee foraging, impacting honeybee nutrition and colony
development (Potts et al., 2010). Moreover, rising temperatures exacerbate the spread of pests

and diseases, such as Varroa mites and Nosema ceranae, further compromising bee health

and colony survival (Rosenkranz et al., 2010).

Beekeeping is gradually emerging as a very successful agricultural practice for local

people in rural areas of less developed countries. Not only does the practice of beekeeping

have intrinsic health benefits through providing a food source of great nutritional values

which is lacking in rural areas, but beekeeping requires few inputs and capitals and ready

supply of pollen. In rural areas, there is almost an unlimited source of pollen and bees aid

greatly in the natural cross pollination of local crops. Health benefits for local people reliant

on small agriculture to provide food as centered around the enriching qualities of honey in a

diet which is usually dependent upon staple foods such as bananas and maize.

Bees, the main player in Bee-farming are four winged flower feeding insects that live

in all the crannies of the world. They are social insects and live in groups. Honey bees are

important and beneficial economic insects, as they produce honey and pollinate crops.

Historically, throughout the length and breadth of civilization, honey bee colonies have

provided source of honey for human consumption. It is on record that the first authenticated

record of men pursing bees is a cave painting in Spain which was dated to about 8,000 years

before the present era. However, the formal management of honey bee colonies for the

commercial honey production is a more recent innovation. It is certain that the Ancient

Egyptians kept bees specifically for the production of honey, at least 2,500 years before the

present era. In contemporary times, the keeping of bees in movable comb hives (essentially

the definition of modern bee keeping or farming) is a legacy of the innovativeness of the

father of commercial bee keeping, Reverenced Lorenzo I. Langstroth who patented a hive in

1852 which has remained widely used up till today.

 Since beekeeping does not require fertile land and does not compete with other

resource demanding component of farming systems, it basically helps for sustainable rural

livelihood. For example, South west, Nigeria has a long history in beekeeping practices

through which enormous farmers have still generated their means of livelihoods. Despite the

long history in beekeeping and its endowment with favourable natural resources for the

honey production, its honey contribution to the beekeepers’ livelihood is very low the

resultant effect may be attributed to climate change.

One of the most fundamental challenges facing Nigeria today is how to ensure that all

her citizenry have enough food for a healthy and productive life and this has been largely

hampered by erratic climatic condition. Nigeria is feeling numerous effects of climate change

with evidence of increased temperature and severe drought with enormous stress on water

availability for flora development which is basically the food of bees (Antwi- Agyen and

Stringer, 2021). Today, many parts of Nigeria are involved in the deliberate process of Bee

farming or Apiculture. Although apiculture is still young in the agricultural system, it is

gradually growing especially when viewed against the background of the usefulness of

honey, a valuable by-product of bee farming.

In response to these challenges, the adoption of Good Apicultural Practices (GAPs)

has emerged as a strategic approach to promote sustainable beekeeping and enhance the

resilience of honey production systems. GAPs encompass a range of management techniques

aimed at optimizing bee health, ensuring product quality, and minimizing environmental

impacts. From hive management to disease control, GAPs offer practical guidelines for

beekeepers to navigate the complexities of modern apiculture while adapting to changing

environmental conditions. This study focuses on the on-station evaluation of GAPs in

combating climate change within the context of honey production at the Olusegun Agagu

University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), located in Okitipupa, Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Experimental Sites

The work was carried out at the on-station apiary demonstration (Olusegun Agagu University

of Science and Technology, Agroforestry Unit) Okitipupa. The on-station apiary layout was

carried out on a primary forest within bees’ friendly environment on Coordinate lies between

latitude 6.25’ and 6.30 north and longitude 4.35’ and 4.48 E. The area is characterized by a

tropical climate. The study area is situated in the tropical rainforest zone of Nigeria.

The following plants were found within the experimental site: Eupatorium odoratum,

Tectona grandis, Irvingia gabonensis, Anana comosus

Citrus species, Mangifera indica, Manihot species, pit yrograma calomelanos

Elaeis guinensis, Moringa Olifera, Anacadium occidentale, gmelina arborea which are good

nectar source found in the site

Procedures to follow: The following practices will be demonstrated at the model apiary

demonstration site in order to adjudge the sustainable environment for honey production and

the result will serve as model for the training of prospective beekeepers in Ondo state with

the view to improving their honey production level which is being affected with vagaries of

weather.

The practices are:

1] Supplying bees with additional feeds apart from normal floral.

2] Provision of bee shelter

3] Putting water bowl near hives

4] Planting of multiple floral

5] Production of foundation wax

The baiting materials used are:

1. foundation wax – This is a thin sheet of bee wax molded into a honeycomb pattern. It is

used in beekeeping to guide the honeybees in building cells in beehives. They help to

increase honey production and reduce was waste.

2. pure honey- This is a natural sweetener made by bees from necter. They are rich in

antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

3. Slurry- This is the mixture of liquid and solid particles typically water and another liquid

as it base.

4. Fermented locust beans- This enhances the bee health and productivity, provides vitamins

and minerals, they also increase honey yield and quality

5. Perfume- to enhance honey flavor and aroma, and also increase bee visitation and honey

production

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The following are the results obtained from the research work. It includes the rate of

colonization, production efficiency of each hive with respect to the rate of comb formation

and honey yield all measured in kilograms.

4.1 Rate of Hive Productivity within the Study Period

It denotes the growth of the comb recorded at the onset of baiting, and subsequently every

two weeks. The table shows the weekly result of the comb development in each hive listed, of

which A represents the hive in oil palm plantation, B represents the hive in the primary forest,

C represents the hive in the secondary forest, and D represents the hive at uphill location. For

the two weeks after baiting, no comb

as formed in any of the hive, which simply implies that none of the hives had been colonized.

By the fourth week, all the hives had been colonized, but only the varying degrees. Of all the

four hives, the hive in the primary forest (hive B) proved most promising and it yielded bets

till harvest. Due to absconding of the honey bees from the hive in the secondary forest and oil

palm plantation, their performances were disturbed, but showed signs of improvement

afterwards.
Hive A B C D
1

4 0.09 1.23 0.28 0.20

7 1.02 2.76 0.88 0.60

10 2.06 3.77 2.14 1.10

12 3.42 5.94 3.24 1.90

14 3.48 4 3.5 2.40

23 5.28 4.162 5.66 2.76

50 7.71 4.3807 8.576 3.246

A B C D

Number of top bars in hive (Nn) 30 30 30 30

RXA=(10) Colonized NC ABS NO: RC %FLORAL

( ABSCOND)

A 2 4 (2) 2 40%

B 8 1 (1) 2 0%

C 4 2 (2) 2 33.5%

D 6 3 (1) 1 42.9%

E 7 2 (1) 0 14.3%

Average % absconding during the period

The rate of absconding is high on the treatment D=0 which accounts for 42%. The possible

causes of the absconding was due to the attack of pre-colonized pests. This present report

supports the work of Babarinde etal( 2015) who reported that early absconding is caused by

pre-colonized pests like waiver ant (Decophylla longimnda) and sugar ant ( amponotus

Consobrimus)

CONCULSIONS

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the potential of five bating materials and

seven apicultural practices in mitigating the effects climate change in honey bee

production in artificial framed hives . It was observed that the highest honey production

was obtained at foundation wax baited hives . This clearly implies that foundation wax

is the most appropriate baiting material and provision of additional water at the base of

the hives was adjudged as apicultural practice that aids in mitigating the effect of climate

change in honey bee production. 0ther treatments did not thrive on an average level this
 was due to the following factors: Bad weather condition, attack of hives by early pre

colonized ants, unconducive environment and absconding of the colony bees. The

principal forces against absconding are the ants, Lizard and worm wood. The study also

evaluate apicultural practices for mitigating against climate change each proved to be

effective to a reasonable extent.

RECOMMENDATION -
The following recommendations were made for effective use of the positive apicultural

practices among the beekeepers and development workers

1. Researchers and Development workers should disseminate this research outcome to

prospective beekeepers in the region who has abandoned their apiary because of

erratic weather condition

2. Beekeepers should watch for swarming period before setting there hives in the

apiary. ( July- Md October)

3. Water should be readily available at the base of hives during the scarcity of water and

floral within the apiary as this will guide against absconding.

4. Improved processing material should be provided by beekeepers’ association

5. Beekeepers should be advised to adopt the technology of queen bee rearing

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