The study identified key stakeholders and their interests and analyzed socio-economic factors influencing the perceptions and resource use conflicts of apiculture as an intervention towards improved natural resource management (NRM) by local communities in Lushoto district in Tanzania. Opinions from 98 respondents selected through a purposive, stratified simple random sampling were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that the majority of the farming community (61.4%) perceived apiculture as a reliable source of income and would adopt it as a complementary activity. There was a significant relationship between occurrence of resource use conflicts and age (P = 0.044); nature of conflict (P = 0.006); level of interest (P = 0.038) and duration of residence in the area (0.091). Farmers in the area had favourable perception towards apiculture. Measures should therefore be taken to sustain the favourable attitude of farmers towards apiculture to enhance NRM. In order to promote apiculture industry in Lushoto district, the study recommends a stepped up and focussed approach for mobilisation of beekeepers, capacity building and establishment of coordinated marketing system.