TABEDO Picks New Leaders To Bolster Tanzania’s Preps To Host APIMONDIA -

To ensure Tanzania prepares effectively to host the eagerly- awaited global apiculture apex gathering, the Tanzania Beekeeping Development Organization (TABEDO) has picked it’s new leaders

By Senior Reporter VALENTINE OFORO

TANZANIA is expected to host the world’s leading beekeeping forum, APIMONDIA, the event which has been drafted to take shape from 20th to 25th September 2027 in Arusha City.

Organized by the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations (APIMONDIA) the economic gathering is expected to bring in Tanzania over 10,000 international beekeeping stakeholders from at least 133 countries across the globe.

The larger population will include the world’s high- profile bee farmers, honey processors, aggregators, api-scientists, international honey traders as well the relevant giant companies, to mention but a few.

To ensure Tanzania prepares effectively to host the eagerly- awaited global apiculture apex gathering, the Tanzania Beekeeping Development Organization (TABEDO) has picked it’s new leaders.

The recently elected new leaders are charged with the major task to ensure the Tanzania’s beekeeping sector and its stakeholders stand more professional in readiness to partake in the coming gala.

With its headquarters in Tanzania’s Capital, Dodoma City, TABEDO is the sole active member of APIMONDIA in Tanzania, hence responsible for running a series of interventions to support the country’s readiness to host the coming honey convention.

At the TABEDO’s Annual General Meeting held from the 19th to 20 in Dodoma, Ms Catherine Peter was elected the Organization’s Executive Secretary.

And in her brief interview with this publication, she said: “TABEDO has realized the importance of getting new active leaders for effective preparations to host the APIMONDIA event, among others,”

The development, she said will play a key role in cooperating with the ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to prepare the country’s beekeeping stakeholders for the event.

She named the other elected leaders with their relevant positions in brackets as Jonathan Karuguru ( a strategic consultant), Abdalah Selemani (Chairperson), Kaizerege David Camara (Deputy Chairperson).

The picked TABEDO’s new body members are Ally Sabur, Bahati Rukiko, Ayubu Kamwaga, Reginald Saria, Amina Madeleka, Alponce Matata, Hawa Maulid, Amos Kaega and Lilian Ndumbaro.

Speaking in June 2024 in Dar es Salaam during her remarks at the Tanzania Honey Exhibitions 2024, the Former Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Hon. Angellah Kairuki said APIMONDIA will play a major role in opening a new chapter for Tanzania’s beekeeping sector.

Together with that, Minister Kairuki said that the event will play a significant role in helping to spur performance of the country’s tourism sector will open a number of investment niches.

“Being the host of the world’s most giant beekeeping gala means a lot to Tanzania’s economy, ” she said.

She challenged the local traders from different businesses engagements and levels to prepare effectively, but also stand more creative in identifying and tapping the numerous economic opportunities likely to crop- up in relate to the event.

“The government, through the parent ministry, Tanzania Forestry Services (TFS) and other stakeholders in the private sector are currently planning and working several initiatives to ensure the event is hosted professionally,” she said.

And she added, the forum will bring into the country high technological facilities in beekeeping, honey processing and others on the relevant value addition chain, challenged the local api- traders and bee-farmers to prepare effectively to adopt the technologies.

“The event will provide a useful podium for the local stakeholders in beekeeping to learn, but also exchange views and working links with the International stakeholders in the sector,” she said.

The Minister challenged the financial institutions in the country to mull over bankrolling the sector, including issuing capital loans towards the smallholder bee farmers.

“Tanzania has numerous prestigious potentials, but the involved stakeholders, especially the bee farmers are yet to use and benefit from the endowment due to lack of financial muscles,”Minister Kairuki mentioned.

She added that as the host country, the government has set to create an enabling environment to attract serious investment into the sector.

10,000

The number of beekeeping stakeholders to come in Tanzania to partake in APIMONDIA

Tanzania won a slot to host the event because its beekeepers have perfected the art of honey harvesting, employing techniques that not only ensure a bountiful harvest but also prioritize the well-being of their industrious bees by having a gentle approach of ‘Smoke and Selective Hive Opening and Balancing Harvest and Bee Health’

Other reasons for this success is the ability of hive management, beekeeping training and education, beehive construction, cultivating harmony where beekeepers and conservationists are uniting for a greener Tanzania.

The event organized by the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations (APIMONDIA) aims at facilitating the exchange of information and discussions by organizing Congresses and Symposia where beekeepers, scientists, honey-traders, agents for development, technicians and legislators meet to listen, discuss and learn from one another.

Tanzania is a 14th country for beekeeping in the world and 2nd in Africa with most of the country’s produced honey and beeswax often exported to Germany, France, Belgium and Netherlands, Oman, USA, Japan, Botswana, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Congo DRC, Somali and neighboring Kenya.