General structure of beekeeping and apiculture activities in Adana province

In this study, it was aimed to reveal the general structure of beekeeping by examining beekeeping activity of Adana province in terms of technical, cultural and socio-economic aspects. This study was carried out in a total of 302 beekeepers selected by appropriate sampling method in 15 provinces including the center of Adana province. In this context, data were obtained from the questionnaire surveys conducted by the owners of the visited beekeepers. These surveys were designed to provide information about the socio-demographic characteristics of beekeepers and the activities, problems and expectations that have been carried out in the beekeepers. It was determined that 48% of the farmers participating in the survey were between the ages of 46-55 and 37.24% of this age group received honey between 10-15 kg per hive. It was determined that 37.1% of beekeepers were secondary school graduates and 39.21% of these beekeepers obtained 10-15 kg honey per hive. It was determined that 33.8% of the beekeepers had 4 people in their homes and 36.27% of the 4 people living in their homes obtained honey between 10-15 kg. It has been determined that 44.4% of the beekeepers have been beekeeping for 6-10 years and 38% of these producers have obtained 10-15 kg honey from hives. 39.4% of the beekeepers do not see themselves as farmers. 30.8% of the farmers who consider themselves farmers accept beekeeping as secondary profession. It was determined that 38.7% of those who regard beekeeping as secondary profession obtained 10-15 kg honey. It was determined that 41.7% of beekeepers employed 3 people in their apiary and 35.29% of these beekeepers obtained honey between 10-15 kg. According to the results made for the determination of the relation between the ages of the beekeepers, their education status, the number of people living in their residence, the way of defining themselves and the amount of production per head (P>0.05). Among the beekeepers, 38% of them who beekeeping time for 6-10 years, 35.29% had 3 personnel in their apiary received 10-15 kg honey per hive. It was determined that 38% of the farmers who participated in the survey started beekeeping with 11-30 hives and 47% of them had 10-15 kg honey per hive. It was determined that 54.6% of the existing hives were 1-50 hives and 43.03% of them had 10-15 kg honey. A statistically significant difference was found at a very high level compared to the analyzes made for determining the relationship between beekeeping time, number of personnel, starting and present hive counts, and hive head production quantities (P<0.05). Consequently, it was found that the yield per hive is quite low as 10-15 kg. It has been determined that the breeding is mostly done by farmers as a second profession and that the market problem is especially important in the sector. Current situation of Adana regarding the province of beekeepers and beekeeping activities that are similar to the general situation of Turkey, in order to increase the performance of the beekeeping activities in the province, it has been concluded that increasing the government supports given to this sector, especially residue problem of honey, and the elimination of the problems experienced in marketing will be beneficial.