Current structure and problems of the beepkeepers in Sivas province

This study was conducted in Sivas to define the current structure of beekeepers and suggestion to improve beekeeping activities. The average age of the beekeepers is 45.97 and 47.0% of them are primary school graduates. Average experience of beekeeping was determined as 17.61 years 84.0% of the enterprises do mobile beekeeping while 16.0% prefer stable beekeeping. It was determined that 32,0% of the enterprises learned this activity from their elders and 31,0% from another beekeeper. They use a hive on average for 2.58 years. The most important information source of the enterprises is the other beekeepers (57.0%). While 50.0% of mobile beekeepers migrate twice a year, 36.0% perform this activity three times a year as wanderers. 73,0% of the beekeepers stated that this activity was the main source of livelihood but they found state supports insufficient (82,0%). It was determined that the number of the hives of long term beekeepers; and the honey yield of mobile beekeepers were higher than others. In order to produce and market more honey, producers need to be organized, branded; and the number of queen bee enterprises should increase.