Attitudinal Disposition of Trained Beekeepers towards Use of Modern Beekeeping Technologies in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Beekeeping is a lucrative livelihood activity of the rural dwellers because it offers a great potential for income generation, poverty alleviation, sustainable use of forest resources and diversifying the export base. This paper examined the attitude of trained beekeepers to use of modern beekeeping technologies in Oyo state, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 131 trained beekeepers. The data collected were analysed with the aid of descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage and mean), and inferential statistics tools such as Chi-square, Pearson product moment correlation. The results revealed that there was favourable attitude to use of modern beekeeping technologies. Beekeepers had high (54.2%) participation in training activities and are highly knowledgeable (61.8%) on the use of modern beekeeping technologies. Age (r= 0.373, P=0.000); educational status (χ2 =5.189, df=1, P=0.013); membership of beekeepers association (χ2 =6.155, df=1, P=0.013) and knowledge of modern beekeeping technologies (r=0.491, P=0.000) of beekeepers determined attitude towards use of modern beekeeping technologies. Similar training in other states will enhance use of modern beekeeping and in turn productivity.