Durable Beekeeping for Sustainable Livelihoods in Tanzania

Bees are vital to our survival, as primary pollinators for a third of the food we eat. In Tanzania, modern beekeeping techniques are introduced to improve honey production, empower small-scale farmers and ensure sustainable livelihoods for 9 000 farmers in Tanzania. The project is a joint collaboration with our local partner organization the Mavuno Project.

Project overview

Beekeeping is a significant source of off-farm income in Tanzania, employing around 2 million farmers. In Chonyonyo and Tabora, Tanzania, traditional beekeeping practices are common but often result in low honey yields and threaten bee colonies. These methods, particularly the complete removal of honey and wax during harvesting, require the bees to expend significant energy to rebuild the wax structures, reducing honey production potential.

Through this project, the community will be introduced to modern beekeeping techniques that will improve honey yield, contribute to environmental sustainability, and create new economic opportunities. The project will establish 25 fully functional, democratically managed cooperatives involving over 9,000 farmers.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the project is to:

Increase honey production by 50-100% for the participating farmers and their families.
Improve hive management practices, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Enhance crop production in the surrounding areas through pollination by bees.
Contribute to job creation within the local community by expanding the beekeeping sector.

Activities

The project will involve two key activities:

1. Training in Hive Management and Wax Reuse:
Farmers will undergo 2-3 weeks of training on advanced beekeeping practices, including proper hive management, centrifugation techniques, and the reuse of wax. This will help farmers optimise honey harvests and maintain healthier, more productive bee colonies.

2. Introduction of Modern Equipment:
Two critical pieces of equipment will be introduced:

A solar wax melter, which will be locally produced in Chonyonyo, enabling farmers to clean wax more efficiently.
A bee wax foundation machine, imported from abroad, which will allow farmers to produce new wax cakes, facilitating the reuse of wax and boosting honey production.

These interventions will help improve the quality of honey production while supporting the long-term sustainability of the bee colonies.

Expected impact

Honey Production: The introduction of modern practices and equipment is expected to increase honey yields from the current 9 kg per hive to 25 kg per hive annually.
Livelihood Improvement: By increasing honey production, the project will directly improve the incomes of 2,700 households of participating farmers and their families, providing them with a more reliable and sustainable source of income.
Environmental Benefits: The bees will continue to play a vital role in local agriculture by pollinating plants around the hives, boosting both agricultural and landscape biodiversity.
Job Creation: As honey production increases, the potential for creating 3,400 additional jobs in honey processing and beekeeping expands, particularly for vulnerable groups in rural areas.

Long-term sustainability

The project’s success hinges on both the training provided and the long-term support by local beekeeping experts. A volunteer at Mavuno Project, will be responsible for coordinating the honey processing unit and overseeing the training of local farmers. This role will be pivotal in ensuring that the beekeeping methods introduced have a lasting impact, contributing to the sustainability of the beekeeping sector in Chonyonyo.

By empowering farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to sustainably manage their hives, this project aims to create lasting change for the community, reducing reliance on traditional farming practices and opening up new economic opportunities.

SDG Goals targeted

The project addresses five key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with its broad impact on both livelihoods and environmental sustainability.

SDG 1: No Poverty — By increasing honey production and improving beekeeping practices, the project provides sustainable income opportunities, directly alleviating poverty for beekeeping families in the region.

SCG 5: Gender Equality — By empowering gender equal employment between men, women and youth, the project promotes gender equality in the local communities.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth — The project creates jobs in honey production, processing, and beekeeping, expanding economic opportunities, especially in rural areas.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities — By establishing local honey collection centres and rural enterprises that operates sustainably, the project promotes sustainable rural communities.

SDG 13: Climate Action & SDG 15: Life on Land — By promoting beekeeping, the project supports biodiversity through improved pollination and the preservation of bee populations, contributing to ecosystem stability.

More information

Biodlingsprojektet tar fart i Tanzania

In January 2026, EWB-SWE volunteer Martin Bennrup was in Tanzania to start up the training sessions with local farmers and test new equipment together with Clara Bitakwate, Project Manager at Mavuno Projects.

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