Rukwa: The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism through the Tanzania Forestry Agency (TFS) has handed over more than 200 beehives to the Chiefs of Rukwa Region as part of the implementation of the Beekeeping Sector Development Plan for a Better Tanzania known as ‘Achia Shoka Kamata Mzinga’.
Handing over the hives to the chiefs of Sumbawanga District, the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism in charge of Conservation, Police Commissioner Benedict Wakulyamba, said the plan aims to increase honey production from the current 33,861 tons to 75,000 tons per year by June 2035.
CP. Wakulyamba said the distribution of the hives supports the efforts of the number one Conservationist in the country, the President, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for the great work she is doing to uplift the people economically through the Conservation of Natural Resources, especially Forests and Bees.
“In addition to ensuring that these resources continue to be conserved, our Honorable President, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, has continued to advertise and attract investors to our forestry, beekeeping, ‘Malikale’, wildlife and tourism sectors, we greatly commend her”, said CP. Wakulyamba
He said the Chiefs and all citizens should cooperate well with the experts of the Ministry in learning more about the best way to keep bees using modern tools as well as the sustainable conservation of the resource, while calling on TFS to strengthen the protection of protected areas and develop tourism activities in those areas.
The Administrative Secretary of the Region, Mr. Msalika Makungu, said statistics show that the Region has 5,710 modern hives, 2,251 indigenous hives and 3,736 beekeepers, so the efforts made by the Ministry are going to strengthen beekeeping activities in Rukwa.
The Acting Director of the Ministry’s Department of Forestry and Beekeeping, Mr. Daniel Pancras said the beekeeping sector currently contributes to approximately 2 million jobs involving honey producers, processors and traders of honey and beekeeping equipment, so more efforts are being made to increase existing opportunities.
