What is the problem or need the project is 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?
Building on work we have been carrying out in Tabora over the last two years, this new four-year project will help beekeepers organise 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. Local service providers will also be trained, to provide essential services to the beekeepers. These will be technical services, for example making protective clothing or building beehives, and 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 will explore means by which beekeepers could access sources of finance and credit.
What impact has the project had?
This is a new project so it is too early to measure long term impact. The preparatory work we have been undertaking in area has however already had promising results. Five beekeeper groups were formed, and had training in harvesting techniques, storage and transportation of honey. Honey quality for all five groups has improved, and links have been established with key honey buyers in Tanzania.
Beekeepers are using their income from honey to improve their quality of life. Henry Mugao, who supports his wife Mary and seven children, says
“I have been able to buy livestock to help with the ploughing and have made a cart. If I get more money for my honey I will improve the house and make sure my daughter continues to study and the young ones – if they pass – they should also go to secondary school”.
Service providers in the area have also received training in organisational skills, entrepreneurship and basic bookkeeping.
Our new project, which builds on the success of the preparatory activities, is progressing well and a number of achievements have already been made:
- Beekeepers are being supported to re-gain Fairtrade certification for their honey. All requirements have now been met and the beekeepers are awaiting their official certification documents.
- 23 beekeeper groups have together registered a regional umbrella association to represent their needs. This is a big step forward, and brings a number of benefits. The beekeepers now constitute a recognised body with a single voice and collective authority, which means that buyers can purchase through one channel rather than from individual beekeepers. Registration also means the beekeepers are far better able to secure access to training and other opportunities, which in the past have stalled partly due to lack of formal structures and organisation.
- Locations have been identified for setting up collection centres, where honey and other bee products can be stored safely and hygienically, bulked, tested, labelled and processed. These will also act as a linking point where beekeepers and buyers can meet, exchange information and conduct business.
Our local partners
Our local partner in the project is Faida MaLi, a Tanzanian organisation which aims to link people to markets and increase incomes in rural areas.
How is this project funded?
The project is funded by the European Commission, grant-making trusts, and donations from individuals.
