Adoption of Sustainable Beekeeping Practices Among Rural Women in Hail Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Implications for Agricultural Extension

Adel Mohammad Almutlaq, Mohammad Shayaa Al-Shayaa (), Abdulaziz Thabet Dabiah, Jasser Shaman Alfridi and Abdulmalek Naji Alsanhani
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Adel Mohammad Almutlaq: Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Mohammad Shayaa Al-Shayaa: Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Abdulaziz Thabet Dabiah: Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Jasser Shaman Alfridi: Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Abdulmalek Naji Alsanhani: Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-20

Abstract: Understanding beekeepers’ satisfaction, attitudes toward extension services, and the adoption of recommended beekeeping practices could play a vital role in designing and executing effective interventions to promote the adoption of recommended beekeeping practices to improve honey production. Therefore, a study was undertaken to assess beekeepers’ satisfaction and attitudes towards extension services and the level of adoption of recommended beekeeping practices among rural women in the Hail region, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from women beekeepers located in the Hail region, Saudi Arabia, using a simple random sampling technique with the help of a pre-tested paper-based questionnaire. The results revealed that most beekeepers were highly satisfied and showed neutral attitudes toward extension services. Despite the neutral attitudes toward extension services, a considerable portion indicated a higher adoption of recommended beekeeping practices. Moreover, rural women needed professional guidance and training for beekeeping. The beekeepers’ age showed a negatively significant correlation with the beekeepers’ satisfaction. Beekeepers’ education level showed a positively significant correlation with satisfaction. The extension services provided to beekeepers showed a negatively significant correlation with beekeepers’ attitudes. Therefore, the study suggests that training extension agents through the active involvement of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, should be implemented to improve beekeepers’ attitudes toward beekeeping. In addition, the government should facilitate the adoption of innovative and sustainable beekeeping practices by enhancing its availability on the market at low prices.

Keywords: rural women; sustainable beekeeping practices; beekeeping adoption; agricultural extension (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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