Bees provide sustainable income for communities and protect mangroves

Welcome to today’s program! My name is _______ and today we look at Msimbati, a small coastal village in Tanzania’s Mtwara Region, where an interesting initiative is transforming lives and protecting the environment. By keeping bees in the mangroves, villagers are finding sustainable ways to thrive while conserving their vital ecosystem.

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Msimbati Village is located on the edge of the Indian Ocean in southern Tanzania, surrounded by mangroves, a lifeline for the community. These mangroves act as natural barriers against coastal erosion and support marine life.

 

For years, mangroves were cut down for timber and cooking fuel, causing depleted fisheries, greater storm damage, and falling incomes. To explore the impact and the road to recovery, let’s hear directly from community members.

 

SOFT WAVES, BIRDS CHIRPING

 

We spoke with Mustafa Issa, a resident of Msimbati whose life changed after he started beekeeping. In our interview, Mr. Issa explains how he turned environmental challenges into opportunities that now provide financial security for his family. Thank you for joining us, Mr. Issa. To begin, could you tell us about your community and the mangrove degradation you have seen?

 

Some people were cutting down mangroves for firewood, construction materials, and building poles. Many did so for commercial purposes. As a result, the mangrove forests were depleted, leading to a decline in fish stocks and making it harder for fishermen to earn a living.

Tell us, what was this area like before the degradation – perhaps when you were a child?

 

When I was a student, my father was a fisherman. The sea was adorned with mangroves and it was attractive. Fish were aplenty and the environment was serene.

But the situation changed by 2014. Many mangroves had been cut down for construction activities and firewood for cooking. Not only that, even the availability of fish was a problem because many fish had moved to the deep sea.

 

Mr. Mustafa, you mentioned earlier that many mangroves were cut down, especially around 2014. What inspired you to begin restoring the mangroves along your village’s coastline?

 

Yes, that’s true. Back in 2014, the mangroves were in poor condition. But after receiving training on restoration and how mangroves support beekeeping and fish reproduction, I learned that rising tides bring fish to feed and lay eggs in the mangroves—making fishing easier for us. Inspired by this, some of us began keeping bees in the remaining mangroves. When we saw the benefits, we expanded our efforts and started restoring mangroves on a larger scale.

 

Dear listeners, our conversation continues. Mr. Mustafa, can you explain how beekeeping is connected to mangrove conservation?

 

There is a very strong connection between bees and Mangroves. Mangroves produce pollen and nectar, which are essential for honey production. Bees help pollinate mangrove flowers, facilitate spread of mangrove forests and increase honey yields.

 

Additionally, Mangroves prevent soil erosion and conserve water, creating a favorable environment for bees and other organism species, thus enhancing biodiversity in these areas. Beekeeping also adds value to mangroves, encouraging the community to protect them rather than cut them down.

 

Moreover, this relationship contributes to sustainable income and food security in our areas; as fish move closer to the mangroves, making them easier to catch, while bees help pollinate our crops, increasing agricultural productivity. Because of these benefits, we have been highly motivated in our village to restore mangroves so we can expand beekeeping and improve our livelihoods.

 

When you were involved in fishing, what was the income situation like, and how does that compare to your income now that you are beekeeping?

 

I’ve been a fisherman for nearly 10 years, relying entirely on the sea. Some days I made a catch, but many days I came back empty-handed.

 

And even when I did catch fish, after deducting the costs of the boat, fuel, and time, my monthly income rarely exceeded 100,000 shillings (about 38 US dollars). But with beekeeping, I can now earn that same amount without spending long nights at sea or exhausting myself.

 

When you say you get money without getting tired, what do you mean?

 

In the past, fishing meant paying for boat rentals and fuel, and spending long, sleepless hours at sea. On top of that, bad weather made every trip dangerous, putting our lives at risk. We had to travel farther out because the fish had moved to deeper waters, and our fishing gear is outdated. If you’ve ever heard of fishermen losing their lives at sea, this is the reality behind those stories.

 

Currently, you are involved in beekeeping in the mangroves. What is the income situation like and who are your customers?

 

Currently, I harvest between forty and fifty litres of honey every six weeks, which I mostly sell to fellow villagers. I also take some to the market, where one litre sells for ten thousand shillings (10,000 TSH, about $3.80 US). This means I earn around four to five hundred thousand shillings (400,000 to 500,000 TSH, or $150 to $190 US) every six weeks—and that is just the beginning.

 

 

 

Listeners, we’re joined by another beekeeper, Idriss Hassan. Mr. Hassan, could you explain how to start a beekeeping project in the mangroves and how it benefits the environment?

 

Thank you, presenter. The first important factor in beekeeping is having a suitable forested area to place the beehives. The more trees there are, the more beehives can be kept, which helps increase income. Currently, the bees also play a role in protecting our mangroves, as those who once cut down the trees are now deterred by the risk of bee stings. The great thing about bees is that you don’t have to buy them—you simply set up the beehives, and the bees will come on their own because they are naturally attracted to mangroves, which they love.

Can you tell us what is the cost of starting a bee farm?

Bees don’t cost anything, you just need the right facilities, and they will come naturally since they live among the mangroves. A single hive costs between fifteen and twenty-five thousand shillings (15,000 to 25,000 TSH, or about 5.70 to 9.50 US dollars), depending on its size and quality. Therefore, the total investment depends on how many hives you choose to set up.

 

How did you get started in beekeeping, and could you explain to our listeners how you set up your first bee farm?

The basic thing is that starting a bee farm requires careful planning, the right equipment, and an understanding of beekeeping practices.

 

After deciding to start beekeeping, I reached out to experts who guided me through the process. I also took time to read and learn more about beekeeping on my own.

 

After that, I found a suitable area with plenty of flowers and access to water.

 

 

Now, let us hear from Fatima Khamis, one of the women actively contributing to environmental conservation by planting mangroves. Mrs. Khamis, as a beekeeper, could you share with our listeners how beekeeping has improved your life?

 

Things have changed a lot. Now, all three of my children can have tea before going to school, unlike before when times were tough and I couldn’t even afford sugar. Beekeeping has also helped increase our crop yields, so we can now enjoy three meals a day instead of struggling to have two.

 

Tea is available every day, unless a child simply doesn’t want it—but it’s never because we lack sugar. Before starting beekeeping, I used to sell charcoal, but that was difficult because there were fewer trees to burn. During the rainy season, it became even harder to find charcoal, and prices went up.

 

When you say the cost increased, can you tell us by how much? Also, how much were you earning per month from your charcoal business?

 

I used to buy one sack of charcoal for six thousand shillings (6,000 TSH, about $2.27 US) and sell it for between eight and ten thousand shillings (8,000 to 10,000 TSH, roughly $3.03 to $3.80 US). However, the income was not enough to meet my needs, especially since charcoal was often hard to find due to the scarcity of trees.

 

How much are you currently earning from beekeeping?

 

Now, I am confident of earning five thousand shillings (5,000 TSH, about $2.30 US) for every half litre of honey I harvest. I package the honey in half-litre containers so that buyers who cannot afford a full litre can still make a purchase.

 

If my family ever runs out of sugar, I can use half a litre of honey to sweeten our tea instead.

 

I have completely left the charcoal business behind. I have also expanded my activities, I now buy fish from fishermen, fry it, and sell it, which is a new source of income compared to when I relied solely on charcoal.

 

Thank you Fatima Khamis. Now, let’s turn to Muyawezi Hassan, a resident of Msimbati village who has dedicated himself to beekeeping along the Indian Ocean coast. He begins by explaining how beehives are maintained and how honey is harvested.

 

Proper maintenance of beehives and harvesting of honey is crucial for a quality product.

 

Regular hive maintenance is essential for keeping bees healthy and maximizing honey production. I visit my farm regularly, but I typically inspect the hives once a week. These inspections help me monitor the development of the honey so I know the best time to harvest. They also allow me to spot any issues early on, so I can address them promptly.

 

During inspections, I look for signs of disease or pests and make sure the bees have enough food, such as nectar and pollen, in the surrounding area.

 

Hives should be placed in a well-ventilated and secure area. They should not be located in places that are too hot or too cold. We usually position them in a tree where there is plenty of shade.

 

The inspections also help me monitor if the bee population is growing beyond the hive’s capacity, so I can add extra hives to accommodate the additional bees.

 

Now, please tell us how you harvest honey and what steps you take to process it afterward.

 

It’s true that after harvesting, honey goes through several processing steps to make it ready for consumption. During harvest, we carefully remove the honeycombs from the beehive and place them into a bucket or suitable container. Next, we use a hot knife to remove the wax cappings that cover the honey, then squeeze the honey out of the combs.The extracted honey is filtered through a fine mesh to remove wax, pollen, and other debris. After this, the honey is ready to be sold.

 

Interesting! Mr. Muyawezi, our listeners would like to hear from you– what benefits have you achieved from beekeeping?

 

In the past, I used to do a business of selling African fabrics and get paid commission by the owner. The capital was one million shillings (1,000,000 TSH, $378 US). I might get one million eight hundred thousand shillings (1,800,000 TSH, $682 US) after sales, but the owner takes it all and gives me a commission of twenty thousand shillings (20,000 TSH, $7.58 US).

 

Now I have my own beehives. I keep bees. I can harvest ten liters of honey every month and sell it for one hundred thousand shillings (100,000 TSH, $38 US).

 

Things are better now that I am selling honey, but beyond that, keeping bees helps us to take care of our environment. It has protected the mangroves, which has led to more fish.

 

 

MUSICAL INTERLUDE

 

Welcome back, listeners! We’re exploring how the people of Msimbati, a small coastal village in Tanzania, protect their mangroves using beehives, which boosts both fish populations and income from honey.

Now, we hear from Boniphace Michael of the Indian Ocean Conservation Alliance. He explains how, together with other partners, they educate communities within the Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park on sustainable marine resource use, including beekeeping.

He emphasizes that all ecosystems are connected because damage to one harms others. That is why conservation education is so important.

Mr. Micheal, please tell us how you work with villagers to protect the coastal and marine environment.

 

Working with the villagers of Msimbati, we have planted 3,000 new mangrove trees and supported them with alternative income activities to reduce cutting.

 

We promote alternatives to firewood, such as sawdust stoves, and have introduced beekeeping in the mangroves. Knowing they can earn honey income discourages cutting trees for wood.

 

Our main goal is sustainable use of marine resources—protecting the environment while helping people earn a legitimate living.

 

There are many aspects of environmental conservation. Why have you settled on mangrove planting and not something else?

 

We began planting mangroves along the Indian Ocean coast in Msimbati because many had been cut down for construction and firewood, threatening the ocean’s safety. To help, we empowered the community to plant mangroves and use them for beekeeping—an ongoing effort.

 

Bees protect the mangroves by deterring tree cutters. When the honey is ready, beekeepers harvest and sell it, earning income while the trees remain healthy and sustainable.

 

Excellent work Boniphace Michael, Thank you. Now we will turn to your colleague.

 

Redfred Ngowo, you are the conservation officer in charge at the Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park. How are you engaging the community to protect the mangroves in the marine park?

 

We are restoring abandoned salt farms by planting mangroves to create conservation areas. These mangroves support both environmental protection and beekeeping, making bees natural guardians of the ecosystem. By involving the community, we encourage everyone to protect the environment. Beekeepers benefit by harvesting honey sustainably, increasing their income over time.

 

People who understand this are less likely to cut down mangroves, knowing that beekeeping provides ongoing benefits.

 

Currently, you have a beekeeping project. What other methods are you using to protect and conserve the environment?

 

When working in areas where people depend on the ocean for their livelihood, it’s important to involve them fully and explain both the benefits and risks of their actions. They already understand the harm caused by cutting mangroves. Soon, we plan to launch a mangrove planting program under a carbon credit scheme. We will identify open areas for planting and establish strong management systems. Ultimately, the local community will be the main beneficiaries.

Mr. Boniphace and Mr. Ngowo, thank you so much for taking the time to join us along with our listeners. Now, can one of you share a message for our listeners, especially those living in coastal areas?

Thank you. I sincerely appreciate your recognition of our work in raising awareness about mangrove conservation and restoration through beekeeping. This approach is transforming the lives of coastal communities. I encourage others to follow the example of Msimbati villagers, who are restoring mangroves and practicing beekeeping to improve livelihoods, protect biodiversity, and build a sustainable future. Let’s work together to safeguard our environment for current and future generations.

 

The transformation in Msimbati is undeniable—a powerful example of how local action can make a difference. By protecting mangroves, the villagers are securing their future and inspiring other coastal communities to embrace sustainable solutions.

 

Thank you for tuning in to today’s program. Until next time, goodbye.

 

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