Examining the Challenges and Problems of the Beekeeping Industry in Selected Provinces of Afghanistan

Abstract

The beekeeping industry in Afghanistan faces numerous challenges that significantly hinder its development. This study was conducted to provide an overview of the problems confronting the beekeeping sector across several provinces in Afghanistan. To this end, a Likert-scale questionnaire was randomly distributed both online and in person. This research is quantitative and descriptive in nature, with 164 individuals from specific segments of society participating in the survey. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha, yielding a coefficient of α = 0.80. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25. The results indicate that 53.66% of respondents strongly agree that the beekeeping industry in Afghanistan has a significant impact on household economies. Additionally, 54.3% agree that the development of beekeeping can effectively contribute to poverty reduction. Moreover, 48.2% agree that the widespread use of toxic pesticides in orchards negatively affects honeybees. Furthermore, 52.4% agree that the lack of well-equipped laboratories for diagnosing honeybee diseases and pests hinders the industry's progress. About 61% strongly agree that the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock should provide greater support for the development of the beekeeping industry. Additionally, 57.3% strongly agree that establishing academic programs in beekeeping at undergraduate and postgraduate levels is essential. Supporting domestic production and preventing honey imports can reduce the country’s dependency on foreign honeybee products and promote self-sufficiency and sustainable development.