Abstract
In this study, the role of apiculture in rural development is examined with the help of rural development projects, implemented in Turkey. Accordingly, since 2000, rural development projects implemented by public and private sectors were evaluated. Document analysis method as a main methodology was used in the present study to analyze rural development projects. In addition, the findings were presented with the current literature results. The preliminary results showed that apiculture was not sufficiently emphasized in rural development projects in Turkey. However, there has been recently a significant increase in the number of projects about beekeeping in Turkey. These projects are mainly supported by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, TUBITAK and Ministry of forestry and water affairs.