EFFECT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON RURAL BEEKEEPING AND

PRODUCTION IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

BY
NJOKU BLESSING CHINYERE
20161963961

A PROJECT RESEARCH SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF

AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION, SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AND
AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF
TECHNOLOGY, OWERRI.

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE REQUIREMENT OF THE

AWARD OF BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY (B.TECH) IN
AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION

DECEMBER, 2022
 CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that, the project was carried out by Njoku Blessing Chinyere

with Registration Number: 20161963961, in partial fulfillment of the requirement

for the award of B.Agric.Tech in Agricultural Extension, School of Agriculture

and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

Dr. Chikaire J. _________________

(Project Supervisor) Date

Dr. Mrs E.N Ejiogu Okereke _________________

(Head of Department) Date

Prof. Mrs. O.P. Onyewuchi ________________

(Dean of SAAT) Date

……………………….. ________________
External Examiner Date

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 DEDICATION

I dedicate this project to God Almighty and to my beloved family.

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 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I warmly acknowledge my parents Mr. and Mrs. Njoku Richard and my friend

Macdonald Chidozie for their encouragement and financial support at every point

of this project. I am also indebted to my siblings Njoku Chinonso, David Amarachi

and others for their love and support.

My sincere and esteem appreciation goes to my Supervisor Dr. Chikaire J., Mrs.

M.A. Ibe (Course Adviser), Head of Department Dr. Mrs. E.N. Ejiogu Okereke for

their Instructions and advise in the cause of this work. I equally appreciate all

members of the staff of our great Department.

Also, I will not forget my friends who encouraged me during the course of this

project, Victoria, Jennifer, Clinton and others. Thank you for your support.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover Page i
Certification ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Table of Contents v
List of Tables vii
Abstract viii
CHAPTER ONE 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Background of the study 1
1.2 Statement of Problem. 4
1.3 Objectives of the Study 5
1.4 Significance of the Study 6
CHAPTER TWO 7
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 7
2.1 Introduction to Apiculture 7
2.2 Beekeeping practice in Africa 9
2.3 History of Beekeeping in Nigeria 12
2.3.1 Bee keeping and Livelihoods 15
2.3.2 Beekeeping as a business enterprise 16
2.3.3 Beekeeping Resources and their Uses 24
2.3.4 Challenges of Beekeeping in Nigeria 28
2.3.5 Management of Bee Hive 30
2.4 History of Covid-19 34
2.4.1 Covid 19 in Nigeria 35
2.4.2 Symptoms of Covid-19 37
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2.4.3 Transmission of Covid-19 38
2.4.4 Treatment of Covid-19 42
2.4.5 Precautions of Covid-19 43
CHAPTER THREE 45
3.0 METHODOLOGY 45
3.1 Study Area 45
3.2 Sampling Procedure 46
3.3 Data Collection 46
3.4 Data Analysis 46
CHAPTER FOUR 48
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 48
4.1 Socio – Economic characteristics 48
4.2 Sources of Information on Covid – 19 Pandemic 53
4.3 Effect of Covid – 19 on Beekeeping and production 55
4.4 Survival strategies during Covid – 19 57
4.5 Protocol and Procedures used by beekeepers during Covid-19 to avoid spread.

58
CHAPTER FIVE 60
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 60
5.1 Summary 60
5.2 Conclusion 60
5.3 Recommendations 61
References 63
Questionnaire 70

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Distribution of the Respondents by Age 48

Table 2: Distribution of the Respondents by Marital Status 49

Table 3: Distribution of the Respondents by Education 50

Table 4: Number of Bee Hive 51

Table 5: Distribution of Respondents by Membership Organization 52

Table 6: Sources of Information on Covid – 19 Pandemic 53

Table 7: Effect of Covid – 19 on beekeeping and production 55

Table 8: Survival strategies during Covid – 19 57

Table 9: Protocol and Procedures used by beekeepers during Covid-19 to avoid

spread. 58

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 ABSTRACT
The study investigated the effect of Covid –19 Pandemic is on rural beekeeping
and production in Imo State. The specific objectives were to describe the socio –
economic characteristics of the beekeepers ascertain the awareness characteristics
of covid –19 by beekeepers, examine the perceived effect off Covid –19 on
beekeeping and production, identify beekeepers survival coping strategies used
during Covid –19 pandemic and identify Covid –19 pandemic protocols and
procedures observed by beekeepers. A random sample techniques was adopted in
selecting On Hundred and Twenty (120) beekeepers. Data were collected with the
aid of a well-structured questionnaire given One Hundred and Twenty Beekeepers.
Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistical tools, such as frequency,
distribution, percentage and mean. The result reveals that Covid –19 pandemic
affect beekeeping and production by selling at low price and unable to visit
apiaries. Frequent washing of hands with soap and water were used as the
protocols and procedures during Covid – 19 pandemic and sources of information
through ratio. This leads to income diversification, stealing of products among
other things as the survival strategies. Based on the findings, recommendations
were made that government should assist interested beekeepers with such as
movable frame hives, bee suit and honey extractors at subsidized rates.

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