Determination of Beekeepers’ Thoughts on Current Problems and Colony Losses

Abstract

The aim of this article is to examine the current problems of beekeepers in Turkey and the effects of these problems on colony losses and to determine the thoughts and solution suggestions of beekeepers against this situation. The research was conducted with 412 beekeepers in Turkey between February and May 2024. In order to determine the beekeepers to be surveyed, a preliminary study was conducted with 50 beekeepers from different provinces. It was determined that 95.6% of the participants were male, 50.7% were in the 31-50 age range, the majority (87.6%) were married and 49.3% were university graduates (P<0.01). While 27.7% of the beekeepers purchased queen bees for their colonies commercially, 57.0% of them produced them themselves (P<0.01). High input costs were stated as the most important problem of Turkish beekeeping by 30.8%. The most common disease and pest encountered by beekeepers was Varroa destructor with 79.4% (P<0.01). As a result, this study reveals beekeepers’ perspectives on current problems and colony losses and evaluates how a sustainable production can be made by addressing the main problems in the beekeeping sector. The study emphasises the necessity of policies and practices at local and national level for the sustainability of the beekeeping sector and the reduction of colony losses.