What problem or need is the project addressing?
The Tabora region is one of the most isolated and deprived regions of Tanzania. For people who struggle to scratch the most basic living from farming, the production of honey is a vital source of income.
At its peak, the Tabora Beekeepers Cooperative Society had over 6,500 beekeeper members and provided essential services such as buying, processing and selling their honey.
Its virtual collapse due to financial mismanagement has left beekeepers floundering, with few support services and little access to markets.
What is the project doing?
The project is organising beekeepers into groups to better access services and market their honey, improve their production and honey quality, and develop new market linkages both locally and internationally.
Service providers are also being trained in the region, to provide essential services to the beekeepers. These might be technical services, for example making protective clothing or building beehives, or other services such as training in entrepreneurship and contracting with buyers.
The project also aims to restore Fairtrade and organic certification to Tabora honey, and is exploring means by which beekeepers could access sources of finance and credit.
What impact has the project had?
The project is still being implemented so it is too early to measure long term impact, but the early signs are promising. Beekeepers have had training in harvesting techniques, storage and transportation of honey, and issues such as the need for hygiene in honey handling and its importance for quality.
One of the workshop participants, Mr Henry Mugao, said:
"[it] was very good. We learned how important it is to improve the honey because with a good honey we will get a good price and improve our lives, because honey is in demand."
Service providers in the area have also received training in organisational skills, entrepreneurship and basic bookkeeping. They have now started working with five different beekeeper groups in the area, to identify their training needs.
Our local partners
Our local partners in the project are Faida MaLi and Honey Care Africa. We are also working with SIDO (Small Industry Development Organisation) and TAWIRI (Tanzanian Wildlife Research Institute) to implement this project.
How is this project funded?
The project is funded by grant-making trusts and donations from generous individuals.
