The government has stepped up efforts to strengthen Tanzania’s beekeeping sector by announcing plans to distribute 11,000 modern beehives and train more than 3,000 beekeepers in the 2026/2027 financial year, in a move aimed at increasing honey production and improving livelihoods.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to turn beekeeping into a stronger income-generating activity for rural communities, especially those living near forest areas where most beekeeping activities take place.
The announcement was made during a stakeholders’ dialogue held in Tabora Region, bringing together beekeepers, forestry and apiculture experts, development partners and government officials to discuss ways of improving production, processing and marketing of bee products.
Speaking at the meeting, Tabora Acting Regional Administrative Secretary, Upendo Joseph Haule, who represented the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, said the government is committed to modernising the sector through improved technology and value addition.
She said Tabora Region is promoting investment in honey processing and encouraging the use of modern beekeeping methods to ensure Tanzanian honey competes effectively in both local and international markets.
She also said the region is working on establishing the Tabora Honey Competitive Cluster, which will bring together all players in the honey value chain, including farmers, processors and traders, to improve coordination and boost competitiveness.
According to her, the cluster will help improve quality standards, strengthen branding and expand market access for bee products produced in the region and across the country.
At the same time, she warned that increasing cases of forest fires in some areas pose a serious threat to beekeeping activities, saying destruction of forests directly affects bee habitats and honey production.
She urged communities to take responsibility in protecting forests, stressing that environmental conservation is key to sustaining the beekeeping industry.
On his part, Acting Director of Forestry and Beekeeping from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Daniel Pancras, said the government continues to scale up support to the sector.
He said in the 2025/2026 financial year, the government distributed 9,215 beehives and trained 4,934 beekeepers across the country to promote modern and productive practices.
He added that the government will increase support in the next financial year by distributing 11,000 beehives and expanding training programmes to reach more citizens, especially small-scale beekeepers.
He encouraged more Tanzanians to take up beekeeping, saying it is a low-cost activity with high returns when done using modern methods.
Stakeholders at the meeting emphasized the need to increase value addition in bee products through better processing, packaging and adherence to international quality standards.
They said improving quality would help Tanzanian honey access wider markets and compete globally.
They also called for more training opportunities for youth and women, saying this would help increase participation in the sector and create more jobs at community level.
Overall, stakeholders agreed that beekeeping has strong potential to improve household incomes, create employment and support environmental conservation if supported with proper investment, training and strong collaboration between government, private sector and communities.
