Tanzania Beekeeping Policy.

This Beekeeping Policy is a nationwide sectoral document aiming at (i) enhancing the contribution of the beekeeping sector to the sustainable development of Tanzania and the conservation and management of the natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations; (ii) providing a clear vision, mission and adequate coverage of beekeeping and beekeeping-based cross-sectoral issues and policy statements which are the basis for the formulation of new Beekeeping Legislation. The Policy covers both stinging and non-stinging (stingless) honeybees regardless of ownership or administration and includes feral (wild) and domesticated (kept in hives) colonies and all other bees which are nonparasitic and collect nectar and or pollen for their food. The objectives for the beekeeping sector are as follows (i) ensuring the sustainable existence of honeybees by maintaining and effectively managing adequate areas of bee reserves; (ii) improving the quality and quantity of honey, beeswax, and other bee products and ensuring their sustainable supply; (iii) enhancing beekeeping-based national development and poverty alleviation through the sustainable supply of bee products (honey, beeswax, royal jelly, propolis, brood, pollen) and services; (iv) improving biodiversity, increasing employment and foreign exchange earnings through sustainable bee products-based industrial development and trade; (v) ensuring ecosystem stability by practicing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and carrying out Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for investments inside or around Bee Reserves and Apiaries; (vi) enhancing the national capacity to manage and develop the beekeeping sector in collaboration with other stakeholders. Based on the above objectives the six envisaged outcomes are (1) establishment and sustainable management of bee reserves; (2) apiary management; (3) beekeeping-based industries and products; (4) beekeeping in cross-sectoral areas; (5) beekeeping for ecosystem conservation and management; and (6) capacity building of institutions and human resources.