PRODUCTIVITY OF APICULTURE IN MAYA COMMUNITIES OF THE CENTRAL YUCATÁN COAST

Abstract

In this study, the objective was to estimate the productivity of the main factors and inputs that are used in bee-keeping, as well as to measure the influence of the socioeconomic variables on the level of yield. The field information was obtained through a survey by stratified statistical sampling. The productivity of the inputs and factors was estimated based on the dictates of economic theory, while the influence of socioeconomic factors was measured through a multiple linear regression model. It was confirmed that there is a significant difference between the productivity means by stratum; its contribution in the workday, kilogram of sugar used in feeding, and investment in assets for every thousand pesos, presented a growing trend when increasing the average possession of beehives. The social factors of age, schooling and seniority of the producer exert a limited influence on the productivity, which can be considered as non-determinant, although not so the influence of capital. Every favorable change in the productivity per beehive increases the importance of small-scale apiculture in the rural environment.