author(s)
Mwakatobe AR, Ntalwila JA, Kohi EM, Kipemba N and Mrisha C

abstract
Participation of rural women and youth in beekeeping activities provides a unique opportunity to improve rural livelihood and hence poverty reduction. This paper explores the extent of accessibility of women and youth in beekeeping industry in Tanzania. Data were collected from Kigoma Region in Western Tanzania through Participatory questionnaire survey, Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews. Results indicate that women have explored their own niche in beekeeping industry by actively engaging in post harvesting of bee products. Income generation was the major reason for participating in beekeeping activities and beekeeping was ranked number one at the same level as agriculture as major sources of income. Post harvesting beekeeping, however, needs liquid capital investment which, limit women and youth to participate fully in the business. Cultural practices were also mentioned as other main hindrance for adult women and youth to participate in beekeeping activities. Nonetheless, presence of beekeeping groups and associations, community banks, forest reserves and beekeeping awareness campaigns in the areas provided opportunities for women and youth to participate in beekeeping. We recommend for strengthening and empowerment of beekeeping groups, associations and cooperatives with particular emphasis to women and youth to access credits facilities, donor supports and training. In order to increase income accrued from beekeeping activities, promoting and support of training on processing of secondary bee products to women and youth beekeepers are important. Stakeholder’s involvement in promoting and support beekeeping awareness campaigns is crucial to enhance the contribution of the sector for livelihood improvement and environmental conservation.