VICE President Dr Philip Mpango has issued ten directives to strengthen the bee sub-sector including ensuring that Tanzania’s embassies abroad to engage in looking for markets to generate foreign currencies for economic growth.

Dr Mpango issued the directives here yesterday when wrapping up the World Bee Day, aimed at raising awareness on the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development.

He said all the embassies should engage in looking for markets to find reliable markets for the country’s bee products to give farmers a channel to transform their economy.

“Let me also direct the ministry of finance to reduce taxes on products used in processing of honey and production of other bee products,” he said.

He said together with the availability of conducive environment for beekeeping, the country’s production remains low calling upon the ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to work with the Tanzania Forest Research Institute (TAFORI).

In his instructions he asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism in collaboration with the responsible for local government to identify special areas with opportunities unique in Dodoma and Singida region to increase production.

"Also to educate the people living in those areas that are characterized by vegetation at Itigi bushes which are found in Tanzania and Zambia only, which are suitable for beekeeping" emphasized Dr Mpango.

In addition, he asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism in collaboration with stakeholders in the sector to come up with a special plan for beekeeping, including developing a tree planting program.

He said through its councils with beekeeping opportunities across the country to recruit experts who will provide extension services to the people and the Ministry responsible for Agriculture to prepare a pollination strategy in crops to increase production.

 He asked bee training colleges in the country including the Sokoine Agricultural University (SUA) to use entrepreneurs who are doing well in the sector to train more stakeholders.

Earlier, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Angelah Kairuki said that the sector through bees has made a great contribution to the economy.

 He said the results of various studies conducted in the country show that more than 80 percent of the food plants cultivated in the country are pollinated by bees.

 "Available statistics show that the bee industry also contributes to approximately 2,000,000 jobs, especially in the area of beekeeping, processing and trading of bee products in the domestic and foreign markets," he said. 

 The Director of Bee Village, Philemon Kihemi., said one of the problems facing beekeepers in the country is environmental damage caused by human activities.