Current trends of honey bee genetic resources in Ethiopia

In this article we reviewed honeybee genetic resources and honey production in Ethiopia. Books, journals newspapers and fact sheets were used. In Ethiopia, honeybees are known for their roles in apiculture since the third AD. Honey and bees wax have been contributing to the national and local economies as well as human nutrition for centuries. Moreover, honeybees have been playing immense roles in the overall economic development of the country as agriculture is the driving economic sector and honeybees are one of the major primary agents of pollination thereby ensuring sustainability of the later. Ethiopia is endowed with diverse honeybees genetic resources, amazing ecological diversity and climatic variation that is favorable for apiculture. Attributed to various manmade and natural factors, however, their productivity has been by far below their potential. In order to tackle these challenges that contribute for lower productivity and decline in honey bees colonies, ecosystems and biodiversity friendly and sustainable solutions need to be designed.