GIS-Based Beekeeping Site Suitability Assessment Using Multi Criteria Decision Analysis in Atsbi-Wemberta District, Ethiopia

Beekeeping offers multifaceted benefits that extend beyond economic gains, significantly contributing to pollination services, biodiversity conservation, and maintaining ecosystem balance, and socio economic development. In the Atsbi-Wemberta district, Ethiopia, not all Tabiyas are suitable for beekeeping. Thus, identifying suitable areas for beekeeping is crucial to maximize productivity. Integrating Geographic Information System (GIS) and Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) offers effective solutions for this decision-making process. Seven key factors influencing beekeeping including Temperature, Rainfall, Land Cover, Distance to River, Distance to Road, Elevation, and Aspect were analyzed. Data was collected from various primary and secondary sources. The weighting was determined using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), achieving a consistency ratio of 0.040. The study identified fifty-seven bee forage plant species, categorized as 42.1% herbs, 26.3% shrubs, and 31.6% trees. Significant honey sources included Becium grandiflorum, Olea europaea, and Aloe berhana. Three honey-harvesting periods were noted: late October to early December, with additional harvests in April and May. The areas were classified into More Suitable, Suitable, Less Suitable, and Not-Suitable zones, with about 84251.5 hectare (74%) of the land identified as potential for beekeeping from the total area of 113774.88 hectare. Specifically, More Suitable Areas 7318.98 hectare (6.43%), Suitable Areas 60829.36 hectare (53.46%), Less Suitable Areas 16103.15 hectare (14.15%), and not suitable 29523.39 hectare (25.96%) were determined. Validation was conducted using randomly selected 100 existing apiary sites and showed a 78% intersection rate, confirming the model's effectiveness. The socio-economic analysis highlighted challenges such as pests and pesticide use, while opportunities included natural vegetation and established honeybee colonies. This research provides valuable insights fand as a guidance for government agencies, small scale beekeepers, cooperatives, and investors in establishing commercial beekeeping operations. The study recommends Honey production led by agricultural practice should be exercised and conserving existing vegetation to sustain and enhance the area's beekeeping potential.