NWRC is the sole Centre under Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI) and in the whole Tanzania responsible for research on bees and beekeeping in the country. NWRC is a Centre for appropriate technology and information on tropical bees and beekeeping. It utilizes part of a 23-hectare land in “Plot No. 213, Block A” out of which 70 percent is reserved as unique Acacia dominated forest where experimental honeybee colonies are maintained in 13 small apiaries. Apart from the main apiary at Njiro, the Centre also has three field stations in different ecosystems; Mount Kilimanjaro (West Kilimanjaro) and Rift Valley (Magugu) and Miombo woodlands (Tabora Research Station).
Njiro Wildlife Research Centre is located within Arusha municipality and is situated 5km South East of Arusha town on the slope of Njiro Hill.
Main Research Programs:
- Bee anatomy, physiology and behavior
- Beekeeping management
- Beekeeping equipment and protective gears
- Api-agroforestry (bee botany and pollination services)
- Bee products and marketing
- Bee pests and diseases
Current Research:
- Distribution Map of Pollen and Honey Types in Tanzania
- Important Bee Plants for African Honeybees and Stingless Bees in Tanzania;
- The Effects of Parasitic Mites (Varroa species) on the Diversity, Abundance and Productivity of African Honey Bee (Apis mellifera scutellata) Colonies in Tanzania;
- The Promotion of Starter Honeybee Colonies Production Using Bee Breeding Techniques (Queen Rearing) in the Beekeeping Sector in Tanzania;
- Preparation of Beekeeping Research Master Plan;
- Urban forest conservation;
- Research for poverty reduction;
- Markets and Marketing of bee products in Tanzania;
- Value addition on bee products
Facilities:
- A library with publications on beekeeping research in Tanzania and worldwide
- Workshop – a modern workshop that is used to innovate and construct hives
- Apiaries – NWRC runs three apiaries at Njiro, West Kilimanjaro and Magugu that are used for research and demonstration of modern beekeeping practices.
- Bush/field lecture facility
Future Plans:
- Promote and improve high level of academic qualifications for Centre’s Staff;
- Improve infrastructure and research facilities;
- To establish a database for the research projects carried out under the Centre;
- To establish and strengthen outpost stations within Tanzania;
- Construction of modern beekeeping laboratory facility is underway that will be used to improve the quality of bee products to meet international markets;
- Monitoring and evaluation of Varroa mites infestations to honeybee colonies in all regions in the United Republic of Tanzania;
- Implement business plan for the modern beekeeping research laboratory (2017 – 2022);
- Establishing beekeeping research agenda and documentation of beekeeping research findings in Tanzania;
- Erect fences for Njiro and Mapea forests/apiaries;
- Build three bee houses and three queen cages in Njiro, Magugu and West Kilimanjaro apiaries.