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Honey |
Tanzania's beekeeping sector is seeking assistance from product developers and the manufacturing sector in general.
Commenting, Dar es Salaam honey products supplier, Freddy Swai,
said with increased products, the sub sector competitive and inventing
new products out of honey.
Speaking to the Guardian earlier this week, Swai, the Managing
Director of Dar es Salaam based Miyombo Golden Resource Company Ltd went
on to note that increased value chain addition will translate to more
jobs.
“The government must invest in this sub-sector…more production plants mean more jobs for our people,” he said.
The entrepreneur and apiarist went on to point out that other than
the direct economic benefits to be gained from investment in bee
products development, there are also numerous environment benefits to be
reaped.
“Bees help pollinate flora and this is vital for the wellbeing of
our environment especially in the face of ongoing global warming,” he
said.
He was also keen to note that, honey products have important
medical implications and the country stands to gain should medical
researchers invest in the sector.
“Bees wax is another area that needs value addition,” he added.
He said product developer must engage in improving the value chain
in bee products both for honey and bee wax which he said has numerous
uses.
Detailing on his company’s activities he noted that they are also
engaged in the construction of modern beehives to replace wild and
traditional once that are still commonly used across the country.
“At our Itaga bee yard in Tabora Region we build the hivers ourselves,” he revealed.
“We harvest from 400 modern beehives in Tabora region, and supply to Dar es Salaam,” he went on to say.
We expect to have at least 200 more modern beehives by next month,” he detailed.
He said early next month, Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, is expected
to officiate a ceremony at the production yard to inaugurate the new
hives at the Itaga village of Tabora region.