The division was formed in 1985 after the combination of Beekeeping Department and Forestry Division due to government restructuring and cost reduction exercise. The whole process of transformation was geared towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the management and administration of the forestry and Beekeeping sectors which have all culminate to the formation of TFS in 2010. The main role of TFS is to manage national forest and bee resources in a sustainable manner by ensuring sustainable supply of various forest and bee products and services, stable ecosystem and maintaining biological diversity.

Leadership
The Division is led by Director of Forest and Beekeeping, since its establishment in 1985, the Division of Forestry and Beekeeping has gone through different Leadership as shown below;

1. Mr. Elifadhili. M. Mzava
2. Mr. Modestus.  C.  Mtui
3. Prof. Said. S. Idd
4. Dr. Aloyce Tango
5. Dr. Felician. B.  Kilahama
6. Dr. Gladness. A.  Mkamba
7. Dr. Ezekiel.  E.  Mwakalukwa
8. Mr. Deusdet K. Bwoyo

Objective
The division objective is to develop, implement and monitor mechanisms for sustainable conservation and management of forest and bee resources and services in the Country.

Organization
The division has two sections namely: Forestry Development and Beekeeping Development and headed by Assistant Directors. Further, each section is divided into four desks namely:
  • Policy and Legislation;
  •  Extension;
  •  Industrial Development and
  • Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.

Each desk has its own duties as listed below;
        Extension
  i.  Coordinating key events in the sector i.e., National Tree Planting Day, International Day of Forest, beehive sitting day, World bee day and other forest and beekeeping extension services.
  ii.  Coordinating preparation of the sectorial magazine and make sure it is published on time.
  iii.  Facilitate dissemination of information to stakeholders involved in implementation of the National Forestry and Beekeeping policies implementation strategies.
  iv.  Facilitate LGAs to undertake extension services and publicity of forestry and beekeeping.
  v.  Prepare, review and issue technical guidelines on forestry and beekeeping extension packages.
  vi.  Prepare, review and issue technical guidelines on forestry and beekeeping extension packages.
  vii. Repackage and facilitate dissemination of new forestry and beekeeping technologies and research findings to the target groups at the community level.
  viii.  Monitoring and evaluate stakeholders’ awareness on disseminated policy and strategies.
  ix. Organizing and facilitate participation of forestry and beekeeping stakeholders in national exhibitions, international and national fairs.
  x. Prepare and disseminate brochures, flier sheet, media advertisements to create awareness to sector policy and strategic matters.
  xi.  Prepare the National Extension Strategy and facilitate its review

Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
  i. Prepare and integrate plans for development and recurrent budgets.
  ii. Harmonize and align program plans and budgets from development partners, MDAs and other stakeholders contributing to the sector
  iii. Facilitate development of sector performance indicators
  iv. Prepare budget speech and cabinet papers
  v. Facilitate and coordinate the review of National Beekeeping programs/strategies.
  vi. Mobilize resources from internal and external sources
  vii. Coordinate implementation, supervision and operationalization of climate change activities
  viii. Prepare Divisional monthly, quarterly and annual progress implementation reports.
  ix. Facilitate and establishment of a sector wide monitoring and database facility
  x. Prepare and disseminate regular sector physical and financial reports
  xi. Coordinate joint reviews and evaluation of programs between government and development partners and other stakeholders
  xii. Coordinate and facilitate sector specific EIA
  xiii. Monitor compliance on implementation of regional, international obligations, treaties, conventions and agreements

Policy and Legislation
  i.  Monitor, evaluate and review National Forest and Beekeeping Policies and Legislations
  ii. Prepare and review forest and beekeeping guidelines
  iii.  Provide technical translation of Forest and Beekeeping Policies, Acts, Guidelines, and Regulations to stakeholders to facilitate smooth implementation
  iv.  Coordinate establishment of forest and bee reserves and enhance gazettement of declared forest and bee reserves
  v.  Supervise preparation, review and issuance of regulation, technical guidelines pertaining to forest and beekeeping sub sector.
  vi.  Coordinate the preparation and dissemination of forest and beekeeping policies, Acts, guidelines and regulations materials to stakeholders
  vii.  Prepare technical and administrative orders
  viii.  Prepare sub section monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports.

Forestry and Beekeeping Industries Development
  i.  Prepare and promote investment opportunities in forestry and beekeeping
  ii. Prepare, coordinate programs/strategies for development to the forest and beekeeping industries.
  iii. Liaise with stakeholders, monitor and evaluate performance of forest and beekeeping industries
  iv. Facilitate capacity building of small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
  v. Organize and facilitate the private forestry and forest industries week
  vi. Prepare sub section monthly, quarterly and annual progress implementation reports.

Guidance, Policy and Legal Framework
Forestry and Beekeeping sector are guided by the National Forest and Beekeeping Policies adopted in March 1998, whose overall goals are to enhance the contribution of the forest and beekeeping sector to the sustainable development of Tanzania and the conservation and management of her natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

Implementation of the Forest and Beekeeping Policies is done using National Forest Policy Implementation Strategy and National Beekeeping Policy Implementation Strategy ten-year frameworks (2021 - 2031). The Forest Act No. 14 of 2002 (Cap. 323) and Beekeeping Act No. 15 of 2002 (Cap. 224) together with its subsidiary legislations and guidelines provide legal framework for the management of forests and bee resources.
Policy, Act, Subsidiary legislations and guidelines are implemented by Institutions which are under the Division which are;
  i. Tanzania Forest Service Agency – TFS which was established by Government Notice (GN) No. 269/2010,
  ii. Tanzania Forest Research Institute – TAFORI which was established under the Forest Act No. 14 (Cap. 270),
  iii. Tanzania Forest Fund – TaFF which was established under Forest Act No. 15 (Cap. 323),
  iv. Forest Training Institute – FTI,
  v. Forest Industries Training Institute – FITI and
  vi. Beekeeping Training Institute – BTI.

Responsibilities of Institutions under FBD

  i. TFS; is given the role of managing the Natural Forest Reserves, Forest in unprotected areas, Tree Plantations and Bee reserves of the Central Government as well as developing and producing quality tree seeds.
  ii. TAFORI; is assigned the task of conducting and coordinating Forestry and Beekeeping Research and providing professional advice on the use of the best technology in the field of Forestry and Beekeeping.
  iii. TaFF; has been given the role of providing long term, reliable and sustainable financial support to the Forestry and Beekeeping Stakeholders in Conservation and Sustainable Management of Forest and Bee resources in the Country.
  iv. BTI, FITI and FTI; have been given the responsibility of facilitating the stakeholders of the Forestry and Beekeeping Sector in the conservation, management and development of Forestry and Beekeeping.

Functions of the Division
The Forestry and Beekeeping Division have the following functions: -
  (i) To develop, monitor, evaluate and review implementation of National Forest and Beekeeping policies, legislations, strategies and standards;
  (ii) To develop, review and disseminate forestry and beekeeping extension services guidelines and monitor its implementation in liaise with Ministry responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government;
  (iii) To provide policy and legal guidance in management of bee and forest reserves;
  (iv) To protect forest and bee resources by facilitating environmental impact assessment for all investments in the sector and monitor the implementation;
  (v) To provide and monitor implementation of guidelines and procedures for the forest and bee resources data collection, analysis, storage and retrieval;
  (vi) To coordinate and guide research undertaken by various institutions and organisations on the identified research priority areas in forestry and beekeeping;
  (vii) Management of Forest and Bee resources in general land.
  (viii) To manage Forestry and Beekeeping Training Institutions, TAFORI and TFS and
  (ix) To customise, provide advice and coordinate/facilitate implementation of forestry and beekeeping development and management conventions and treaties.
Sections of the Division
This Division is led by the Director with two (2) Sections: -
  (i) Forestry Development Section; and
  (ii) Beekeeping Development Section.

FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT SECTION
The Forestry Development Section have the following functions: -
  (i) Develop, review, monitor and evaluate implementation of National Forest Policy legislations, strategies and standards;
  (ii) Develop, review and disseminate forestry extension services guidelines and monitor its implementation in liaise with Ministry responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government;
  (iii) Provide technical advice, guideline and standards on carrying out environmental impact assessment for all investments in the forestry sector and monitor their implementation;
  (iv) Coordinate and guide research undertaken by various institutions and organisations on the identified research priority areas in forestry;
  (v) Establish guidelines and procedures for collection, analysis, storage and retrieval of forest resources data;
  (vi) Prepare guidelines, coordinate and facilitate establishment and management of Forest Reserves;
  (vii) Provide guidance in formation of groups involved in forest management and conservation; and
  (viii) Customise, provide advice and coordinate/facilitate implementation of forestry development and management conventions and treaties.
This Section is led by an Assistant Director.

BEEKEEPING DEVELOPMENT SECTION
The Beekeeping Development Section have the following functions: -
  (i) Develop, review, monitor and evaluate implementation of Beekeeping Policy, Legislations, Strategies and Standards;
  (ii) Develop, review and disseminate beekeeping extension services guidelines and monitor its implementation in liaise with Ministry responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government;
  (iii) Prepare guidelines, coordinate and facilitate establishment and management of Bee Reserves;
  (iv) Coordinate and guide research undertaken by various institutions and organisations on the identified research priority areas in beekeeping;
  (v) Provide technical advice, guideline and standards on carrying out environmental impact assessment for all investments in the beekeeping sector and monitor their implementation;
  (vi) Establish guidelines and procedures for collection, analysis, storage and retrieval of bee resources data;
  (vii) Provide guidance in formation of groups involved in beekeeping; and
  (viii) Customise, provide advice and coordinate/facilitate implementation of beekeeping development and management conventions and treaties.