Beekeeping Industry in Tanzania: Resources, Practices, and Conservation

Beekeeping is a widespread economic activity in rural Tanzania, supporting over 2 million livelihoods. The country's extensive forests and woodlands, covering approximately 55% of its land area, provide habitat and forage for an estimated 9.2 million honeybee colonies. This makes Tanzania the second-largest honey producer in Africa and the tenth-largest globally. Despite this potential, comprehensive and current information on the beekeeping industry remains scarce. This review synthesizes scientific insights into Tanzania's beekeeping sector, focusing on honeybee species, bee products, management practices, and conservation measures. Among the three documented subspecies of Apis mellifera (Linnaeus, 1758), A. m. scutellata is the most widespread and commonly managed by indigenous beekeepers. Tanzania annually produces over 31,000 tonnes of honey and 1800 tonnes of beeswax, generating approximately USD 77.5 million and contributing about 1% to the national GDP. The industry supports livelihoods, food security, biodiversity conservation, and international cooperation. However, its sustained growth requires strengthened legal and administrative frameworks, expanded scientific research, enhanced innovation, coordinated partnerships, and integrated nationwide initiatives.