Perfil socioeconômico e tecnológico dos apicultores do norte de Minas

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the socioeconomic and technological profile of beekeepers in the northern region of Minas Gerais, providing a detailed account of the local beekeepingreality. A quantitative survey was conducted with 89 beekeepers, collecting data through an online questionnaire. The results indicated that beekeeping is predominantly practiced by men, with most beekeepers being between 31 and 51 years old. The activityis considered secondary by 88.6% of participants, serving as an important supplementary income source for smallholder farmers. It was observed that a significant portion of producers have low levels of education, and that beekeeping is growing in the region, with many newcomers to the practice. Only 31.5% of beekeeping operations are registered with the Instituto Mineiro de Agropecuária (IMA), highlighting the need for increased regulation and sanitary certification to enhance honey's competitiveness. Mostproducers use shared equipment, such as honey houses, to process their products. Organization into associations and cooperatives has been essential in facilitating access to credit, technical assistance, and training. However, there is a notable lack of financial management knowledge, with nearly half of the respondents unaware of beekeeping’s contribution to their income. The study concludes that, despite its limitations, beekeeping in the region has potential for growth, requiring further investments in training and technological development to fully realize its potential.