## Economic evaluation of the honey yield from four forest tree species and the future prospect of the forest beekeeping in Sudan

2020-06
Elzaki, Elsamoal
Tian, Gang
Springer Nature
##### Abstract
The present study is an investigation into beekeeping activity values as land use types practiced in Sudanese forests. The main objectives of the study are to estimate honey yield produced per unit area from four tree species, namely: Acacia seyal, A. nilotica, Ziziphus spina-Christi and Eucalyptus spp. Furthermore, the study aims at estimating its economic value and financial return (US$/hectare) using Return On Investment (ROI) as a decision criterion. In addition, the study aims at identifying the obstacles and constraints which this activity faces. The data were collected through interviews with 96 beekeepers in six selected production areas and a survey of market-related data. A structured questionnaire was used, and a descriptive and comparative analysis carried out. The results indicated that the average annual yield of honey/bee hives is 13 kg, ranging between 10 and 16 kg, and A. seyal showed the highest productivity. Furthermore, the results showed that 15 bee colonies/hectare is more suitable with a return rate of 780 US$/hectare annual income. This result indicates that the productivity of honey yield from forest trees has a considerable economic value and financial return. Thus, these results could be a great incentive to encourage local communities to integrate forest management.