Deputy Minister for Tourism and Natural Resources, Mahmoud Mgimwa
By Felix Andrew, Dodoma
Honey production has increased to 19,000 tonnes annually, the Parliament was told here yesterday.
Honey production has increased to 19,000 tonnes annually, the Parliament was told here yesterday.
Making the announcement, Deputy Minister for Tourism and Natural Resources Mahmoud Mgimwa, said, 95 per cent of the produce is consumed locally because the local market for honey is increasing, he said.
Deputy Minister Mgimwa was responding to a question raised by Antony Mbasa, Biharamulo West legislator (Chadema) who wanted to know how the government plans to support beekeepers.
Detailing, Mgimwa said only 5 per cent of the honey is exported and that the government is working to increase export sells as a means to increase the sector’s revenue generation capacity.
“We intend to sensitise beekeepers on construction of more honey collection centres and link them to more buyers,” he said.
He said the Ministry in collaboration with other stakeholders including the Belgium Technical Cooperation (BTC) the government has constructed honey collection centres in at least 15 districts in Kigoma, Tanga, Tabora, Singida, Dodoma, and Coast regions.
“Our aim is to construct more centres in districts which produce bee related products countrywide,” he said.
To further improve the sector’s performance, Deputy Minister Mgimwa said the government collaborates with the Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO) in provision of training services to beekeepers.
“They provide packaging materials that enable beekeepers to access foreign markets,” he added.
As part of these efforts, up to October 2014, a total of 17 radio programmes and 13 television were aired along with 4 cinema shows in four villages in Newala and Songea districts while a total of 7,320 beekeepers from 921 groups received training under the Tanzania Forest Services.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
No comments:
Post a Comment