Determinants of productivity among honey producers in Abia State, Nigeria

The study examined the profitability of honey in Abia State. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. Purposive sampling techniques were used in selecting one hundred and twenty (120) honey farmers from the study area. Data collected were analyzed using such statistical tools as Net return and Benefit-cost Ratio and Ordinary least squares (OLS) multiple regression analysis. The results showed that 45.8% of the farmers possessed 1-5 hives which is a small-scale for honey business. About 30% had between 6-10 hives while 12.5% had 21 and more hives. The result further revealed that the total revenue per farmer per season was ₦265,334.28 per annum with an annual gross margin of ₦206,806.43 and the net farm income per farm per season was ₦186,177.02 and the benefit-cost ratio was ₦3.35: ₦1.00 indicating that for every ₦1 invested in honey production, ₦3.35 was realized, which implies that honey production in Abia state is profitable. The OLS multiple regression revealed that education was positive and significant at 5% level of probability. This implied that any increase in the level of education will lead to a corresponding increase in productivity among the honey producers. Gender was positive and significant at 1% level. Hence, it was recommended that since the enterprise was found to be profitable, policies aimed at encouraging more rural households in honey production as a way of creating employment and reducing poverty should be made.Keywords: Profitability, Honey Production and Productivit