Perceptions and adaptations of beekeepers and honey hunters to climate change: The case of the communes of Natitingou and Tanguieta in Northwest of Benin

Abstract

The effects of climate change are a major threat to the environment and sustainable development of most sub-Saharan African countries. The perceptions and adaptation strategies of beekeepers and other operators in the honey sector (i.e. honey hunters) to climate change are, however, not adequately explored. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perceptions of beekeepers and honey hunters towards climate change and strategies of adaptation in north-west Benin. In that respect, a survey was conducted among 120 beekeepers in the Communes of Tanguiéta and Natitingou, northwest of Benin. Both beekeepers and honey hunters adopted several coping strategies such as: farming of other bee species, changing of beekeeping techniques, amendment of periods of
beekeeping operations, displacement of the apiary, reduction or increase in number of hives and prayers. In a last resort, beekeepers that are severely affected by climate change had no other choice than abandoned beekeeping for honey hunting which, unfortunately, increased the pressure on the biodiversity of the bees.