Abstract

The Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development recently trained producers on the use of modern beekeeping technologies with the aim of enhancing their global competitiveness. This paper examined the effectiveness of the training programme. Multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting 131 trained beekeepers from the 3 senatorial districts in Oyo state. The data collected were analysed with the aid of descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that Beekeepers had 6?4 mean years of experience, 74.6% of beekeepers had between 1 and 10 years of experience; 61.1% got their initial capital from personal saving and information about beekeeping and training was from a variety of sources with a higher percent (43.5%) from beekeepers association. Increased quantity of honey produced (1.92) was the most important benefit derived from the use of the technology while, invasion by Fulani herdsmen (1.68) and lack of credit facilities (1.40) were the major constraints to use of modern beekeeping technologies. There was significant difference in the level of use of modern beekeeping technologies before and after the training (t- =18.419; p?0.050). The training was effective as there was increased use of modern beekeeping technologies after the training. It is recommended that the training should be replicated in other states and for other agricultural enterprises and government should formulate policy that will guide grazing of livestock to reduce invasion of Fulani herdsmen

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