Technical efficiency of honey and beeswax production in Kaduna state, Nigeria: implications for climate and food security sustainability

This study evaluated the technical efficiency of honey and beeswax production in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted. A total sample size of 120 honey and beeswax producers was used. Primary data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire. The gross margin and net farm income for honey and beeswax production per cycle were calculated at 924,235 Naira and 891,850 Naira respectively. This shows that honey and beeswax production was profitable in the study area. Significant predictors influencing the technical efficiency of honey and beeswax production were labour input, bee feed and sugar syrup, land size, number of beehives, quantity of antibiotics and vaccines, and cost incurred in honeybee pest, disease, and predator control. The socio-economic predictors negatively influencing the technical efficiency of honey and beeswax production were age, gender, household size, educational level, experience in beekeeping, and membership of cooperatives. The average technical efficiency score for honey and beeswax producers was 56.3%, leaving a gap of 43.7% for improvement. The constraints faced by honey and beeswax producers were a lack of modern equipment, a lack of credit facilities, inadequate extension services, inadequate training and capacity building, transportation problems, and disease, pest and predator attacks. The study recommends that modern beekeeping equipment should be provided for honey and beeswax producers to increase productivity. Furthermore, training and capacity building should be organized for honey and beeswax producers to increase both productivity and efficiency.