How TFS Bolsters Apiculture Project At Its Second-Largest Silayo Afforestation Project In Geita Region Through Funds From TaFF
Tanzania is the second-largest honey producer in Africa and the tenth-largest globally, producing over 31,000 tons of honey and 1,800 tons of beeswax annually.
In Tanzania, the apiculture sector is generating at least USD 77.5 million annually and contributes about 1 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
With an estimated 1.2 million Tanzanians involved in beekeeping, at least 800,000 are engaged in honey processing and trade.
The relevant statistics depict that in Tanzania, forests and woodlands cover about 55 percent of the land, providing forage for an estimated 9.2 million honeybee colonies.
The country’s high-potential beekeeping zones include Tabora, Katavi, Kigoma, Shinyanga, Geita, Kagera, Rukwa, Songwe, Mbeya, and Singida.
The Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) is mandated to oversee the preservation and sustainable development of the apiculture sector in Tanzania.
The state-owned Agency is managing the economic sector through dedicated bee reserves, technical training, and value chain development.
Its further role entails overseeing multiple gazetted national bee reserves and bee farms, such as Kondoa-Dodoma and Handeni-Tanga, with an eye to protecting natural bee habitats and forage.
The Agency provides local beekeepers with free access to forest resources and offers training on modern, sustainable apiary management.
In efforts to heighten the performance of this key economic sector, TFS is collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
As part of the efforts, TFS has obtained a total of 250m/- from the Tanzania Forest Fund (TaFF) to support the development of apiculture projects in Geita Region.
TaFF is a public conservation trust fund in Tanzania that provides financial support for forest management and conservation.
The obtained funds are now driving a robust initiative aimed at expanding beekeeping projects within the Agency’s prominent afforestation project, Silayo Forest.
These efforts will also include the establishment of an ultra-modern plant for processing bee-related products.
Currently, there are at least 1,000 beehives within the second-largest tree estate mapped in Chato District, Geita Region.
According to Silayo Forest Plantation Conservation Officer (SCO), Mr Juma Mwita Mseti, the funds were sought to further enhance the performance of the apiculture sector.
“We launched beekeeping projects during the 2020/2021 financial year and have since recorded growing volumes in the production of bee-related products,” he stated.
He noted that, as of the 2025/26 financial year, the project had successfully produced 2,800 kg of honey and 110 kg of wax.
“This output was achieved from a total of 650 harvested beehives, equivalent to 4.31 kg per beehive,” he added.
To foster strong relationships with communities surrounding the state-owned forest, the beekeeping projects are owned and operated by local residents.
“We decided to fully involve local communities in managing the beekeeping projects. Our role as Silayo Forest is to provide necessary mentorship to ensure professional handling of these initiatives,” he emphasized.
He stated that community involvement also serves as a strategy to enhance the protection of natural vegetation within the forest.
Located in Katoro Town, about 65 km from Chato District headquarters in Geita Region, the 65,248.54-hectare tree estate holds a strategic position to boost the timber business in the Lake Zone and across the country.