KILIMANJARO: IN the picturesque village of Maore, nestled within Same District in Kilimanjaro Region, a buzz of excitement fills the air as farmers gather around recently introduced modern beehives.
Among them is Paul Mdeme a seasoned farmer in the village, who cannot contain his joy as he marvels at the sturdy and spacious design of the new beehives.
“With this these modern beehives, we are equipped for success,” Paul expresses, his voice brimming with enthusiasm: “even during heavy rains, these beehives stand strong, ensuring that bees can work their magic without any hindrance.” Paul explains that each innovative beehive could yield up to 10 kilograms of honey in just seven months—a prospect that brings smiles to the faces of many farmers.
Considering the lucrative price of honey in the market, the potential for increased income is a promising development for the community. “During the dry seasons when farming activities come to a halt, these beehives will be our steady source of income,” Paul remarks, with his eyes gleaming with hope for a more stable financial future.
Empowering communities through sustainable beekeeping Valued at $31,000 (Tsh75 million), the equipment—300 modern beehives, honey storage tanks, bee suits, honey processing machines, and quality check materials and other beekeeping materials —were distributed to beekeepers across several districts in Tanzania during a handover ceremony in February.
This ceremony was attended by FAO Representative, Dr. Nyabenyi Tipo, and Her Excellency Christine Grau, Ambassador of the European Union to Tanzania and the East African Community. The aim was to promote environmental sustainability and economic empowerment.
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The handover is part of the interventions of the Capacity Building Related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements in ACP Countries – Phase III (ACP MEAs 3) project, funded by the EU, which aims to promote environmental sustainability in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, specifically Niger, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Saint Lucia, and Solomon Islands.
Expressing the importance of the initiative, Dr. Tipo said that the distributed beekeeping equipment will help increase honey production and improve the quality of honey and other bee products to meet formal market standards.
Her Excellency Christine Grau reiterated the EU’s commitment to development cooperation in Tanzania, emphasizing support for environmental management and the blue economy.
She underscored the ACP MEAs 3 project as pivotal in achieving these goals. Following the official handover ceremony, farmers expressed gratitude to FAO and the EU for providing support that promises to transform their lives.
Daudi Ntaki, a farmer in Kigamboni, emphasized the importance of bees beyond honey production, highlighting the various products they can yield if well managed, including beeswax and bee venom for medicinal purposes.
Enock Sarufu, a beekeeper in Irindi village, Mahenge ward, thanked FAO for providing tools and training in modern beekeeping.
He believes this support will help transform their activities and increase productivity in the bee subsector. Moreover, this initiative has not only caught the attention of male farmers but has also empowered women in the community.
Many women have joined saving groups in their villages, eager to venture into beekeeping. With personalized beehives proudly displaying their names, these women feel a sense of ownership and responsibility toward their newfound venture, nurturing not just the bees but also a growing sense of community empowerment.
Helena Kisumbe emphasized the importance of sharing beekeeping skills to empower women in the community.
“Women have been taking beekeeping as a business confined to men, we have been told today by experts that all genders can effectively participate and perform well in the business and improve their incomes,” she said.
As we celebrate World Bee Day on May 20, initiatives like these remind us of the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy.
Through collaborative efforts and innovative approaches, rural communities are harnessing the potential of bees for economic prosperity while fostering sustainable practices for a brighter future. *Diomedes Kalisa FAO National Project Coordinator and ACP MEAs 3 project focal person in Tanzania.
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