Resumen

BORJA BRAVO, Mercedes et al. Classification of beekeepers in Chihuahua, Mexico. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2025, vol.16, n.1, pp.224-235.  Epub 29-Abr-2025. ISSN 2448-6698.  https://doi.org/10.22319/rmcp.v16i4.6543.

Beekeeping is socioeconomically and ecologically important as it generates income and jobs while benefiting agriculture and the environment. A classification and description of beekeepers in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, was done by analyzing the results of a beekeeper survey. Sixty beekeepers from twelve municipalities in the state were surveyed from November 2021 to May 2022. Principal component factor analysis (PCA), hierarchical and K-means cluster analysis (CA), and discriminant analysis (DA) were applied to the results using eight descriptive variables and five indices. Three groups of beekeepers were identified with the CA: small beekeepers (47 % of total), medium beekeepers (42 %), and large beekeepers (11 %). These were distinguished mainly by the number of apiaries and hives owned by producers. No significant differences were observed in a technical management index, but values in indices representing basic and specialized management, and genetic and nutrition were higher than those in other honey-producing regions in Mexico. The proposed beekeeper classification is potentially useful in designing strategies and actions to strengthen and promote beekeeping in Chihuahua.

Palabras llave : Beekeeping; Apis mellifera; Technological index; Productive Capacity; Technical management.

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