Production and Marketing of Farmers in the Beekeeping Farmer Group in Phatthalung Province

Abstract

     The main objective of this research is to study the production and marketing of farmers in the beekeeping farmer group in Phatthalung Province. Based on a sample of 130 people, data were collected by questionnaire. The results found that the most farmers in the beekeeping farmer group were males with an average age of 54.65  years, and graduated from primary school. Beekeeping was a supplemental income of the farmers. The average of household members was 3.88 people per household with an average of 2 workers per household and with an average area of apiculture of 14.07 rai. There are two types of beekeeping: traditional and an innovative beekeeping. The popular type of honey production was a traditional beekeeping. An average number for honey harvesting of the traditional beekeeping and an innovative beekeeping was 1.46 and 2.63 times per year, respectively. Honey Bee farms were located in rubber plantation area with sufficient food sources. Overall, honey was manually harvested using equipment to protect beekeepers. Products of honey have distributed to customers through the direct farm and online shops. A 750 cubic centimeter bottled honey was distributed for retail price of 500 baht and for wholesale price of 350 baht. A 250 cubic centimeter bottled honey has distributed for retail price of 250 baht and for wholesale price of 230 baht. However, these honey products are not branded. Moreover, the average incomes of the traditional beekeeping and the innovative beekeeping were 11,905.70 and 18,337.50 baht per year, respectively. Therefore, relevant agencies should transfer knowledge of production, marketing, product processing including increasing or creating opportunities for beekeepers to learn and practice skills and has continued to develop marketing.