Assessment of the Effect of Handling, Processing, and Storage Practices on the Quality of Bee Products from Africa’s Most Renewed Bee Village in Tanzania

Aim: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of handling, processing, and storage practices on the quality of selected bee products (honey, bee wax, propolis) from Africa’s most renewed bee village in Tanzania.

Materials and Methods: The study implemented a mixed- methods approach. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used in this study to select a total of 106 participants who were taken as a sample from universal populations. Both primary and secondary data were collected through focal group discussion, interviews, and questionnaires. Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Computer Programme version 26, using descriptive and inferential ststistics.

Results: This study identified significant factors that contribute to the successful production of quality bee and honey products from Kijiji cha Nyuki. Factors that were identified consist of handling, processing, and storage procedures; it was specifically noted that, regulations compliance, application of current technology, ongoing workshop and training, and skilful management and farm workers. The study found those involved in beekeeping and policy implementers do employ several techniques to ascertain the quality of bee and honey products. Beekeepers regularly make use of new equipment such as 20 plastics, knew knife cutting honey jelly, a smoke machine for design for disposing of bees and clothing designed for beekeeping activities. These activities take place during the sun time, the harvested is transported to factory for processing and packaging. The results reveled that handling procedure, processing procedure, and storage practices had significant impact on the quality of bee products, it was recognized that intensified agriculture handling procedures had more influence on bee quality compared to other proxy measures such as harvesting methods and pest and predators uses. Also, in processing procedure it was found that straining than boiling, sun heating and pressing. Further, storage procedure such as separate room store, inside house, inside store, and storing tools had effect on the overall quality of bee products.

Contribution to Policy Implication: This study recommends interventions among farmers and beekeepers on the safe use of good hygienic handling, and storage practices. It has contributed to the understanding of how the quality of bee products is assured by adhering to technology, training, and skillful management of bee products. This calls on policymakers to rethink ways of engaging the beekeepers and to have an ongoing discussion with beekeepers and concerned stakeholders about a model that could be used to enhance pesticide regulation in Tanzania. This study calls for further research that would focus on findings ways for sustaining quality. Technically, farms hardly comply with government regulations, and the government lacks the know-how in terms of influencing beekeepers to stay away from the application of non-approved insecticides which has long-term implications for sustainability.