Value addition apiculture product’s income and livelihood, a study of farmers in kakamega central sub-county, kenya

Bees-hive products (honey, beeswax, Propolis and royal jelly) have high economic value (FAO ROME, 2011). However; the magnitude of value addition in Kakamega County has not been established. This study sought to investigate whether Value addition enhances bee farmers’ livelihoods. Systematic and stratified random sampling were used to select 127 respondents from whom relevant data was collected by the aid of questionnaires, and data analysis done using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS).Qualitative data analysis was done by summing up total scores on variables under study, and finally analyzing the data in form of descriptive statistics presented in form of frequency tables. Respondents were categorized into three; value adders (basic (56.7%) and advanced (22.6%) and non-value adders (20.8%). Basic value adders generated Kshs.170 per kilo of honey, advanced, Kshs.211 and non value adders, Kshs.140.Advanced value adders were likewise able to make an extra Kshs.150 and Kshs.135 from sale of royal jelly and beeswax respectively. Advanced value adders generated more income therefore had better saving culture. Advanced and basic value adders had access to more meals per day and recorded less incidences of nutritional deficiencies compared to non-value adders. The study recommends training of farmers on harnessing hive products and value addition.