Effectiveness of adult beekeeping training program: A case study in Türkiye
HELIYON, vol.12, no.4, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 12 Issue: 4
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2026.e44640
- Journal Name: HELIYON
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Directory of Open Access Journals
- Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Adult beekeeper training programs have demonstrated transformative effects on the development of beekeeping in countries with a rich beekeeping heritage, such as T & uuml;rkiye. This research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a formal beekeeping education program designed to increase the knowledge of adult beekeepers through Public Education Centers (PEC) in T & uuml;rkiye. The study included 49 adult beekeepers residing in Samsun, T & uuml;rkiye, who applied to participate in the training announced by the PEC and volunteered to share their experiences. A mixed-methods approach, incorporating pre-and post-training assessments (multiple-choice and true/false questions), was employed to measure knowledge acquisition and dispel prevalent misconceptions. The socio-demographic statistics of the participants (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) were collected. Paired t-tests (for multiple-choice questions) and McNemar tests (for yes/no questions) were used to analyze changes in knowledge and skills before and after the training. The findings indicate that the average knowledge score of adult beekeepers prior to the training was approximately 68.87, which increased by 18.6% to around 87.45 following the training (p < 0.05). Furthermore, significant improvements were observed in participants' knowledge regarding specific topics such as product quality, colony performance, and apicultural practices. Pre-and post-training assessments demonstrated a marked increase in knowledge, including the correction of common misconceptions. Additionally, the results highlight that structured adult education-particularly when focused on practical knowledge and sustainable practices-serves as a crucial tool for the professionalization of apiculture.