The Impact of Beekeeping on Small Holder Farmers’ Household Income in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Authors

  • Shair Ahmad Hashmat Afghanistan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University (ANASTU), Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Plant Sciences, Kandahar, Afghanistan
  • Qudratullah Ehsan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University (ANASTU), Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Extention, Afghanistan Kandahar, AF
  • Sayed Mohammad Kabir Maien National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University (ANASTU), Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Extention, Afghanistan Kandahar, AF
  • Ali Reza Behzad National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University (ANASTU), Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Extention, Afghanistan Kandahar, AF

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62810/jnsr.v3i2.231

Keywords:

Beekeeping, Household Income, Smallholder Farmers, Kandahar

Abstract

Beekeeping is a vital component of rural economies, significantly contributing to household income, particularly in agricultural regions. This study employed a cross-sectional survey design to analyze the impact of market outlet choices and related socioeconomic factors on beekeeping income in Kandahar, Afghanistan. A structured questionnaire was administered to 310 randomly selected beekeepers across five key districts known for honey production. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression to identify significant predictors of income and assess the effectiveness of various market strategies. This study examines the relationship between beekeeping and the household income of smallholder farmers. Using a multiple regression model, data from 310 sample households distributed across four districts and Kandahar City were examined. The findings revealed a positive relationship between beekeepers' income and beekeeping factors, such as family size and work experience. The research suggests that governments, in collaboration with relevant NGOs, can encourage wholesale opportunities and strengthen ties between producers and customers to address the honey demand gap and boost beekeepers' incomes. Although this study primarily focuses on Afghanistan, its findings apply to other rural agricultural regions, demonstrating the potential of beekeeping to promote economic growth and alleviate poverty. These findings can inform programs and policies aimed at enhancing the economic resilience and sustainable livelihoods of rural populations worldwide.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abidullah, S., Rauf, A., Zaman, W., Ullah, F., Ayaz, A., Batool, F., & Saqib, S. (2023). Consumption of wild food plants among tribal communities of Pak-Afghan border, near Bajaur, Pakistan. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 43(2), 254–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chnaes.2021.08.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chnaes.2021.08.002

Abro, Z., Kassie, M., Tiku, H. A., Taye, B., Ayele, Z. A., & Ayalew, W. (2022). The impact of beekeeping on household income: evidence from north-western Ethiopia. Heliyon, 8(5). E- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09492 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09492

Ahmad, T., Shah, G. M., Ahmad, F., Partap, U., & Ahmad, S. (2017). Impact of Apiculture on the Household Income of Rural Poor in the Mountains of Chitral District, Pakistan. Journal of Social Sciences (COES&RJ-JSS), 6(3), 518-531. https://doi.org/10.25255/jss.2017.6.3.518.531

Arnold, J. E. M., & Ruiz Pérez, M. (1998). The role of non-timber forest products in conservation and development. Incomes from the forest: Methods for the development and conservation of forest products for local communities, 17-42. https://doi.org/10.25255/jss.2017.6.3.518.531 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25255/jss.2017.6.3.518.531

Behzad, A. R., Baryalai, A., & Ehsan, Q. (2023). Assessment of Organic Household Wastes Management System and its Impact on the Improvement of Home Economics in Kandahar-Afghanistan. International Journal of Advances in Agricultural Science and Technology, 10(7), 1-12. https://ijaast.org/index.php/ijaast/article/view/143

Bingen, J., Serrano, A., & Howard, J. (2003). Linking farmers to markets: different approaches to human capital development. Food policy, 28(4), 405-419. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0306-9192(03)00063-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2003.08.007

Brannen, J., & Wilson, G. (Eds.). (2023). Give and take in families: Studies in resource distribution. Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003409786 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003409786

Čavlin, M., Prdić, N., Ignjatijević, S., Vapa Tankosić, J., Lekić, N., & Kostić, S. (2023). Research on the determination of the factors affecting business performance in beekeeping production. Agriculture, 13(3), 686. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13030686 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13030686

Chantawannakul, P., & Ramsey, S. (2018). The overview of honey bee diversity and health status in Asia. Asian beekeeping in the 21st century, 1-39. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8222-1_1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8222-1_1

Ehsan, Q., Rana, D. S., & Choudhary, A. K. (2017). Effect of crop establishment methods and phosphorus nutrition on growth and productivity of mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) in semi-arid Afghanistan. Annals of Agricultural Research, 38(2). Link

Ehsan, Q., Amini, M. Y., Obaid, H., Zaryal, K., Nazir, R., Fazil, K., & Serat, W. A. (2024). Yield and economics response of two cultivars of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) to different potassium levels. ESRJ, 1(1), 164-177. https://esrj.edu.af/esrj/article/view/50

Ferris, S., Robbins, P., Best, R., Seville, D., Buxton, A., Shriver, J., & Wei, E. (2014). Linking smallholder farmers to markets and the implications for extension and advisory services. MEAS Brief, 4(10), 13-14. Link

Fishstein, P., & Wilder, A. (2012). Winning hearts and minds? Examining the relationship between Aid and Security in Afghanistan. Feinstein International Center, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 50. Link

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2022). Beekeeping to diversify livelihoods. Retrieved from . Link

Giller, K. E., Delaune, T., Silva, J. V., van Wijk, M., Hammond, J., Descheemaeker, K., ... & Andersson, J. A. (2021). Small farms and development in sub-Saharan Africa: Farming for food, for income or lack of better options? Food Security, 13(6), 1431-1454. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-021-01209-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-021-01209-0

Gul, S. (2023). Exploring the honey value chain among Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Journal of Business and Management Research, 2(2), 828-859. Link

Haidari, A. J., Jamshid Furogh, M., Kunduzi, M. O., & Aanwari, G. (2023). Primary factors of lack of economic development in Afghanistan. International Journal of Social Science Research and Review, 6(2), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.47814/ijssrr.v6i2.803 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47814/ijssrr.v6i2.803

Helfand, S. M., & Taylor, M. P. (2021). The inverse relationship between farm size and productivity: Refocusing the debate. Food Policy, 99, 101977. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2020.101977 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2020.101977

Kabeer, N. (2021). Gender equality, inclusive growth, and labor markets. Women’s economic empowerment, 44, 13-48. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003178231-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003141938-3

Kata, W. (2019). Estimating the Contribution of Beekeeping to Household Wellbeing and Conservation Motivations in the Tanzanian Miombo (Doctoral dissertation, Bangor University (United Kingdom)). Link

Khan, K., & Ghramh, H. A. (2020). Beekeeping in Pakistan (history, potential, and current Status). Preprints, 2020070503. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202007.0503.v1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202007.0503.v1

Khan, N., & Khan, W. (2018). Review of past literature of honey beekeeping and its production in rural areas of the world. Food Science and Quality Management, 74(6), 18-23. Link

Khushwaha, R. Farmer Cooperatives and Collective Marketing. In Agribusiness Management (pp. 162-183). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003139843-11 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003490111-11

Landaverde, R., Rodriguez, M. T., & Parrella, J. A. (2023). Honey production and climate change: Beekeepers’ perceptions, farm adaptation strategies, and information needs. Insects, 14(6), 493. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14060493 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14060493

Magesa, M. M., Michael, K., & Ko, J. (2014). Access to agricultural market information by rural farmers in Tanzania. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1681-4835.2015.tb00473.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1681-4835.2015.tb00473.x

Maletta, H. E. (2006). Sources of household income in rural Afghanistan. Available at SSRN 899806. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.899806 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.899806

Martínez-López, V., Ruiz, C., & De la Rúa, P. (2022). Migratory beekeeping and its influence on the prevalence and dispersal of pathogens to managed and wild bees. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 18, 184-193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.05.004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.05.004

Meaza, G. B. (2010). Socioeconomic analysis of market-oriented beekeeping in Atsbi Wemberta District of Eastern Zone, Tigray Region (Doctoral dissertation, The Institute of Development Studies and Partner Organisations). Economic_Analysis_of_Market_Oriented_Beekeeping_in_Atsbi_Wemberta_District_of_Eastern_Zone_Tigray_Region/26443144/1/files/48091111.pdf

Moore, L. J., & Kosut, M. (2013). Buzz: Urban beekeeping and the power of the bee. In Buzz. New York University Press. https://doi.org/10.18574/nyu/9780814763070.001.0001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18574/nyu/9780814763070.001.0001

Mosisa, T. D., & Hordofa, D. F. (2024). The impact of improved beehive technology adoption on rural household income, consumption expenditure, and asset wealth in Wonchi districts, Ethiopia. Discover Global Society, 2(1), 33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44215-023-00036-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44282-024-00061-9

Mulatu, A., Marisennayya, S., & Bojago, E. (2021). Adoption of Modern Hive Beekeeping Technology: The Case of Kacha‐Birra Woreda, Kembata Tembaro Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Advances in Agriculture, 2021(1), 4714020. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6694284 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/4714020

Qazizada, M. R., Maqsodi, A. M., Sahibzada, S. K., & Gouhari, S. (2021). Sustainable Management of Nonwood Forest Products for Rural Livelihoods in Afghanistan. Nonwood and Livelihood: Sustainable Management of Nonwood Forest Products for Rural Livelihoods in South Asia. SAARC Agriculture Centre, SAARC, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 166p, 19. Link

Shah, K. K., Modi, B., Pandey, H. P., Subedi, A., Aryal, G., Pandey, M., & Shrestha, J. (2021). Diversified crop rotation: an approach for sustainable agriculture production. Advances in Agriculture, 2021(1), 8924087. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8924087 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8924087

Taktakidze, V. (2024). Economic Effects of Introduction of Modern Technologies in Beekeeping. Globalization and Business, 9(17), 120-128. https://doi.org/10.35945/gb.2024.17.011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.35945/gb.2024.17.011

UNHCR. (2024). Harvesting honey in Afghanistan raises hopes for a sweeter future. Retrieved from Link

Vercelli, M., Novelli, S., Ferrazzi, P., Lentini, G., & Ferracini, C. (2021). A qualitative analysis of beekeepers’ perceptions and farm management adaptations to the impact of climate change on honey bees. Insects, 12(3), 228. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12030228 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12030228

World Bank. (2023). Employment in agriculture (% of total employment) – Afghanistan. Retrieved from Link

Yolchi, J. (2021). The impact of market outlets choice on beekeepers’ income in rural poor: a case study of Badakhshan Province. Economics and Business Quarterly Reviews, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.31014/aior.1992.04.02.353 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31014/aior.1992.04.02.353

Downloads

Published

2025-06-30

How to Cite

Hashmat, S. A., Ehsan, Q., Maien, S. M. K., & Behzad, A. R. (2025). The Impact of Beekeeping on Small Holder Farmers’ Household Income in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Journal of Natural Science Review, 3(2), 76–93. https://doi.org/10.62810/jnsr.v3i2.231

Issue

Section

Articles