The government is set to revamp Tanzania’s beekeeping sector through a series of strategic interventions, including the construction of honey quality testing laboratories across the country and the review of employment terms for beekeeping professionals.
Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador Dr. Pindi Chana, issued the directives during the 17th meeting of the National Beekeeping Advisory Committee (NABAC), held on June 23, 2025, at the National College of Tourism in Dar es Salaam.
Dr. Chana emphasized the need for regional honey testing facilities to enhance product standards and boost competitiveness in international markets.
“We already have a bee products laboratory at Njiro, but this is not sufficient. Every region should have its own lab to ensure quality assurance across the country,” she said.
In addition to infrastructure development, the Minister called for a thorough assessment of the beekeeping cadre specifically salary structures and other employment benefits to motivate professionals and improve service delivery.
“I am directing the ministry, in collaboration with PO-RALG, to convene a national meeting of all beekeeping officers to hear their concerns and ideas. Their employment terms need urgent attention,” Dr. Chana added.
The Minister commended NABAC for its accomplishments during its three-year term, highlighting significant strides made in policy, trade, and environmental conservation.
She revealed that 13 new bee reserves have been formally established, while an additional 23 are at various stages of regulatory approval.
Dr. Chana also acknowledged the committee’s role in expanding Tanzania’s footprint in global honey markets.
Through NABAC’s efforts, Tanzania has launched a national honey certification mark and secured new export channels in the European Union, Asia, and China.
“Thanks to this committee, we’ve successfully opened up international markets and elevated the status of Tanzanian honey through branding and quality control. This is a great achievement for the sector,” she said.
The Minister further disclosed that a beekeeping value chain development program jointly implemented by the ministry and the European Union has already yielded results, including the formulation of the National Beekeeping Sector Development Plan. The plan is expected to roll out in the current financial year.
To strengthen local capacity, Dr. Chana instructed the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) to establish centralized honey collection hubs and roll out nationwide training for carpenters to produce modern beehives.
“We must also expand access to testing facilities so that beekeepers and honey traders receive timely and efficient services,” she stressed.
NABAC Chairperson Jackson Msome praised the government for recognizing beekeeping as a vital economic sector under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership.
He noted that the past three years have witnessed key milestones, including the development and launch of the “Achia Shoka, Tundika Mzinga” development plan and Tanzania’s successful bid to host the APIMONDIA 2027 global beekeeping conference.
“We’ve also secured a 38,000-ton honey export deal with China and obtained VAT exemptions on essential beekeeping equipment,” Mr. Msome said.
The high-level meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, including the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Bernard Marcelline; Director of Policy and Planning, Mr. Abdallah Mvungi; and Director of Forestry and Beekeeping, Mr. Deusdedith Bwoyo, along with several assistant directors and technical officers.
The beekeeping sector is increasingly being recognized as a strategic industry with high potential for employment, rural development, and foreign exchange earnings especially as Tanzania positions itself as a premium honey producer in global markets.
