The event was designed in a position manner to ensure the beekeeping cooperatives in Tabora region are digitizing their business, but also acquire necessary marketing skills.
TABORA. OVER 13 beekeeping cooperatives from different regions have participated in a special beekeeping conference organized to help expanding network and trade linkages in the country’s honey sector.
Organized over the weekend by Enabel, the Belgian agency for international cooperation, through finance by the European Union in the framework of Beekeeping Value Chain Support (BEVAC) Project in Tabora, the event provided key opportunity for the cooperatives to engage with potential stakeholders in the sector, targeting to maximize their executions.
These, include the Tanzania Cooperative Bank, Moshi Cooperative University, and the Co-operative Audit and Supervision Corporation (COASO).
In his remarks to grace the meaningful apiculture gathering, Tabora’s Regional Administrative Secretary, Dr. John Rogath Mboya emphasized over the need for the cooperatives to adopt better ways to turn more commercial.
“It’s high time to adopt a cluster economic approach, through ensuring each actor fulfills their role in the value chain. This will accelerate economic development in the Tabora Region and beyond,” Dr Mboya stated.
He said the government in the region was working to develop the beekeeping sector through supporting the beekeepers.
“Tabora has been endowed with vast beekeeping resources, but joining into groups, including cooperatives, is the best way that can enable the beekeepers to reap benefits from the sector,” he insisted.
BEVAC’s project Manager, Mr Stephen Magige said the project which receives funds from European has decided to organize the forum in efforts to spur honey business among the cooperatives.
“This event has been designed in a position manner to ensure the beekeeping cooperatives in Tabora region are digitizing their business, but also acquire necessary marketing skills,” he said.
During the event, cooperative leaders received digital equipment to enhance record-keeping, member management through Mfumo wa Kielekroniki wa Usimamizi wa Vyama vya Ushirika (MUVU), together with digital marketing and sales through social media and online commerce platforms.
To boost marketing, sales, and access to financial services, the event facilitated business-to-business (B2B) interactions among cooperatives, traders, and banks.
Moreover, the event allowed the participants to exchange contacts and discuss business expectations.
The cooperatives that featured in the event include Tabora (Urambo, Sikonge, Kaliua, Uyui), Katavi (Mlele, Nsimbo, Tanganyika), Kigoma (Kibondo, Kakonko, Kasulu, Uvinza), Shinyanga (Ushetu-Kahama), and Singida (Doroto-Itigi).
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