Guidance programs for developing the beekeeping sector in Al-Lith
In a move aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural development, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture office in Al-Lith Governorate, in strategic partnership with the Beekeepers Association in the Makkah Region, launched a series of specialized awareness and guidance programs. This initiative aims to enhance the technical readiness of local producers and beekeepers in preparation for the new agricultural season, ensuring the highest levels of production and quality.
Historical context and strategic importance of the beekeeping sector
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia boasts a long and rich history of beekeeping and honey production, a profession deeply rooted in the cultural and agricultural heritage of the Arabian Peninsula. The Al-Lith Governorate, in the Makkah Region, holds particular significance in this regard due to its diverse environment and vegetation, which provide ideal natural pastures for bees. Current interest in this sector stems not only from a desire to preserve this heritage but also from a vision to transform it into a national industry that contributes to the GDP, aligning with the Kingdom's modern approach to supporting non-oil sectors.
Details of the guidance campaign in Al-Lith
In response to the urgent need to empower beekeepers to manage their apiaries according to the latest scientific principles, a specialized workshop entitled “Technical Preparation of Bee Colonies Before the Season” was organized. This workshop is part of a comprehensive plan aimed at developing agricultural practices in the governorate and transferring expertise from traditional methods to professional practices that ensure the health of the bee colony and the quality of the product.
During the workshop, Mr. Ali Al-Qarni, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Beekeepers Association in the Makkah Region, reviewed a range of advanced technical methods for preparing beehives. Mr. Al-Qarni also revealed detailed protocols aimed at enhancing the immunity of bee colonies and ensuring their protection from seasonal pests that could threaten production, emphasizing the importance of proactive intervention to safeguard apiaries.
Expected economic and environmental impact
The importance of these programs extends beyond the technical aspects, encompassing broad economic and environmental dimensions. Locally, enhancing beekeeping skills contributes to increased income for rural families and supports small investors in the agricultural sector. Regionally, this initiative strengthens the position of the Makkah region as a major center for high-quality honey production, thereby boosting the competitiveness of Saudi honey in the market.
The technical discussions that took place during the program focused on mechanisms to improve the quality of honey and increase the quantities produced to comply with Saudi and international standards, while developing radical solutions to the environmental and operational challenges facing beekeepers in the region during peak seasons.
Government commitment to achieving Vision 2030
For his part, the director of the Ministry's office in Al-Lith Governorate, Engineer Yahya Al-Mahabi, emphasized that this guidance initiative is a fundamental pillar for ensuring the sustainability of the beekeeping sector. Al-Mahabi affirmed the office's commitment to transferring the latest global technologies to local producers through strategic partnerships, noting that raising the technical efficiency of beekeepers directly and automatically improves the quality of the final product, thus supporting the small-scale economies of farmers.
The ministry concluded its activities by emphasizing the continuation of guidance programs in various agricultural sectors, in an effort to achieve the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which places food security and sustainable rural development at the top of its priorities, transforming the agricultural sector into a vital contributor to the national economy.
