BEVAC Joins TAFORI To Bolster Scientific Research In Beekeeping Sector In Tanzania -

The Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr. Dustan Kitandula addresses a Conference for celebration the 3rd International Scientific Conference in Arusha City

Conducting scientific research is one of the key elements to ensure availability of fact to support development of the apiculture industry in Tanzania

By Senior Reporter VALENTINE OFORO

THE Beekeeping Value Chain Support (BEVAC) Project, has joined efforts with other global scientists and conservation development partners to empower the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI) to accelerate conduction of important research aimed at heighten the performance of the apiculture sector in Tanzania.

The project, implemented by Enabel, the Belgian Development Agency, through financial support from the European Union (EU) has decided to boost research performance in the sector with an eye to support the National Beekeeping Research Master Plan (NAREM- I).

Giving an interview to this publication on the sideline of a special event for celebrating the 3rd International Scientific Conference in Arusha, Tanzania, on behalf of Project Manager Mr. Stephen Paul, BEVAC Project’s Expert in Result Monitoring, Mr. Deogratius Kimena said more efforts is required to ensure sustainable development of beekeeping sector in Tanzania.

“Conducting scientific research is one of the key elements to ensure availability of fact to support development of the apiculture industry in Tanzania,” he said.

In further efforts to support the sector, he said the project has joined muscle with TAFORI in preparing for, and celebrating the 3rd International Scientific Conference which take shape in Tanzania’s tourist hub of Arusha City for three consecutive days.

“This event is key for the betterment of the country’s beekeeping side as it attracts scientist and development partners from Tanzania, UK, Estonia, Finland, Japan, Germany, Sweden, South Africa, Kenya and more,” he explained.

He added, among others, the project is working to support the government to meet the goals highlighted in the NAREM- I, which includes Tanzania honey profiling.

Together with that, he said BEVAC is using the event to organize a panel discussion with representatives from business enterprises involved in the marketing of bee products and api-tourism, as well as public sector representatives.

” The discussions delve on development of the beekeeping sector in Tanzania, specifically the challenges faced by the sector, lessons learned, and the projected pace of sector growth in the country,” he informed.

He observed, despite the fact that the findings of honey profiling study supported by BEVAC are ready and have begun to be used, for example, in the branding of Tanzania Honey through the development of the National Honey Trademark, there’ s a need for the research findings to be further disseminated and communicated among various scientist, beekeeping and conservation stakeholders within the country and beyond its borders.

In his remarks to open the event, the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Dr Dustan Kitandula, appreciated the contribution of EU through BEVAC project and others which he said contributes to conservation efforts in Tanzania.

He also appreciated the effort made by Enabel and the International Trading center in the beekeeping sector in Tanzania.

The event afforded stakeholders an opportunity for developing networking and establishing synergies among the development partners attending the event such as WWF, USAID, Embassy of Finland, GatsbyAfrica, Sun King, TATO, Enabel, UTT AMIS, Mweka, Jane GoodAll Institute, and Kilombero Valley Teak Company.

The three day event incorporate presentation of key research findings and discussed to ensure that acquired knowledge is properly applied.