Tanzania trains South African experts on Bee-Keeping as country yields 33,000 tons of Honey in a Year

Dodoma.

Tanzanian bee keepers churn out an average of 33,000 tons of honey in a year and it seems the country consumes all of that as the demand for the natural sweet substance escalates.

South Africa, which is the country’s leading economy, manages to produce just 2000 tons of honey per year against the country’s demand of more than 4000 tons.

In reflection to that, a delegation of ten bee-keeping experts from South Africa has landed in Tanzania to borrow a leaf on how to boost their own apiculture sector to new heights.

Around the globe, processed sugar intake is being discouraged for health reasons and as a result; most people are turning to honey as the alternative sweetening medium to their drinks and confectioneries.

Landing in Dodoma, the visitors from South Africa were received at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

The South Africa team is in Tanzania to learn over several aspects pertaining to the beekeeping sector, including production of apiaries as well as on how to prevent and control pests and other harmful substances in beekeeping.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Commissioner Benedict Wakulyamba revealed that the South Africans are in the country for a strategic tour which focuses on initiating dialogue and further strengthening cooperation between Tanzania and South Africa, especially in the bee-keeping industry.

The Director of the Department of Forestry and Beekeeping in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Deusdedith Bwoyo, pointed out that the South Africans’ study tour indicates that Tanzania is now curving its own niche in the continent’s beekeeping and honey production.

Bwoyo said the South Africans are in the country to learn on how possible they can heighten honey production in their country, but also the patriotic mechanism to motivate their people to adopt vast use of honey as it is the case in Tanzania.

Apparently Tanzania consumes 90 percent of the 33,000 tons of honey being produced in the country annually, while South Africa’s honey demand stands at just 4000 tons as the country churns out a measly 2000 tons only.

The leader of the South African delegation, who is the Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the North West of South Africa, Zakaria Thupi Mokgathlha, said that Tanzania is a country that has made great strides in the area of ​​beekeeping.

“Basically, we have been very much impressed with the successful manner in which Tanzania is organising the country’s beekeeping sector and thus, we have decided to come and learn so that we can absorb vital knowledge to help us strengthen the sector in our country, ”  Mokgathlha expressed.

Members of the delegation visited the Manyoni-based Tanzania Forest Service Agency (TFS)’s Beekeeping Offices, as well as the Agondi Bee Sanctuary (ABS), where they received education on the best way to raise and process bee products, especially honey.

They will also be visiting Tabora Region, where they’ll have an ample opportunity to learn several key issues at the Tabora-based Beekeeping Training Institute (BTI).

Tanzania ranks at number 14 among the beekeeping in the world and number 2 in Africa.

The country produces honey and beeswax which is often exported to Germany, France, Belgium and Netherlands, Oman, USA, Japan, Botswana, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Congo DRC, Somali and neighbouring Kenya.