Value Chain Analysis of Honey Sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Problems and Prospects

Abstract

Honey sector is considered as a one of the primary allied sectors of agriculture around the world. Beekeeping and honey trade have been carried out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since before 1950s and has contributed towards basic livelihoods of farmers. With the advent of rise of Afghan refugees in Pakistan from 1980s, the growth in honey sector increased exponentially. This rise in honey trade and establishment of sustainable value chain occurred without much formal intervention from governmental or non-governmental organizations. The aim of study was to generate knowledge on how and under which conditions Afghan entrepreneurs developed honey enterprise in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as no scientific study exists. This was achieved by framing Afghan refugees as indigenous entrepreneurs. The study employed grounded theory methodology to understand the meanings attributed to various honey value chain related practices of Afghan entrepreneurs along with their interpretive frames. A purposive sampling frame was used along with open ended interviews as data collection tool to allow for inductivity. Seven open needed interviews were conducted at the pilot stage to create an interview guide which helped in collecting data form 22 further participants. After undertaking grounded theory analysis of the collected data, the interpretations were made, and structuration theory was used to frame the dynamics of honey value chain on macro and micro level. Four major themes emerged from the data which were explained in the findings chapter. The findings show that honey production requires congenial political and social environment. Similarly, the role of government is critical as due to dependence on access to forest and vast open lands. Furthermore, it is an export oriented business. Afghan honey entrepreneurs operate within a challenging business environment with no formal governmental support and formal regulations, but they overcome this by following a religio-cultural moral code based on Islam and Pashtunwali. Afghan honey entrepreneurs use the same morality-based signification, domination and legitimation structures an to regulate their business at the individual and community level. Keywords: Indigenous, Refugee, Apiculture entrepreneurship; honey value chain; religio-cultural moral code