AWARENESS OF POTENTIAL OF APICULTURAL PRODUCTS AMONG BEEKEEPERS AND ARABLE FARMERS FAMILIAR WITH BEEKEEPING IN OGBOMOSO AGRICULTURALAREA, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Honey bee products have been utilized by humans for thousands of years because of their nutritional, medicinal, and cosmetic values. These products include honey, beeswax, propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen, and bee venom, each possessing unique properties and diverse applications. This study investigated the level of awareness and knowledge of bee products among residents of Ogbomoso Agricultural Zone, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study was conducted in five Local Government Areas: Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Orire, Ogo-Oluwa, and Surulere. Astructured questionnaire was administered to 110 randomly selected respondents to obtain information on socio-economic characteristics, awareness of bee products and production methods, consumption patterns, and
knowledge of the economic and health benefits of bee products. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics using SPSS version 25. The results showed that 43.5% of the respondents were between 41 and 50 years of age, while 51.9% were male. Most respondents (79.1%) were married, and 50.9% had tertiary education. Ahigh proportion (92.7%) was aware of bee products and their production. Honey was the most recognized bee product (99.1%), followed by beeswax (65.5%), bee venom (60.9%), pollination services (58.2%), and propolis (20.9%). The majority (90.0%) was aware of conventional beekeeping methods, with 66.0% using fixed hives. Honey was the most commonly consumed bee product (97.3%), while 98.2% recognized the economic importance and 99.1% acknowledged the
medicinal benefits of bee products. In conclusion, awareness of honey and its economic and medicinal importance was high; however, knowledge of other bee products, particularly propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen, and bee venom, remained limited. Increased public awareness and extension programs are therefore recommended to promote the utilization and benefits of these underutilized bee products for improved livelihoods, nutrition, and healthcare.