PARTICIPATORY ASSESSMENT OF HONEY EXTRACTION METHODS IN THE SAVANNA BELT OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Beekeeping is increasing in Africa as a sustainable environmentally friendly agricultural activity. The most popular product of beekeeping to farmers in this region is honey. Honey is an important product of beekeeping with high nutritional and medicinal values. In all, there are four different methods of honey extraction used by farmers in different parts of Nigeria. Only one of the methods is new and with good safeguards against contamination. Local producers and promoters of honey were called to a training workshop during which they were exposed to the four honey extraction methods. Experiences were shared by the participants and the four methods were demonstrated. Participants further evaluated the methods using various parameters. Participants' evaluation showed that the honey extracted using the press was better than honey extracted using the basket, or the sun or even the kneading method with respect to efficiency of honey recovery from comb, taste, appearance, and viscosity. The overall rating showed that the honey extracted with the press was of acceptable quality, whereas the honey from the basket and sun methods were somewhat acceptable. The honey extracted using the kneading method was found to be of unacceptable quality.

Keywords:

• Participatory evaluation
• Honey extraction
• Savanna belt
• Beekeeping
• Honey press

Acknowledgments