IN PICTURES: Saudi honey festival sheds light on the importance of beekeeping

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has started rapidly researching its objectives and initiatives in order to achieve food and water security for citizens, in line with the kingdom’s Vision 2030.

In mountainous provinces, the cultivation of coffee and production of honey is flourishing, while cultivation of various kinds of fruits, grain crops, vegetables and others are seen along plains.

The ministry has directed its focus toward beekeeping, and how to use it as a resource to increase production of honey, and support food security to increase health and economic benefits.

According to statistics released by the ministry pertaining to the Jazan region, the number of beekeepers in the region are 107, with about 244,082 bee hives producing about 122,000 kilograms of honey.

In the al-Edabi governorate, preparations are underway to launch the fourth edition of the Jazan Honey Festival on Saturday, aimed at promoting the production of honey in the region.

“The festival aims to support honey honey producers and develop their skills, and to educate consumers about the original honey products, and the quality standards of these products, in addition to attracting young people and motivating them to work in the profession of bees and honey production for its encouraging financial rewards,” the festival’s manager Suleiman al-Ghazwani said.

He added: “The management of the festival seeks to provide the latest tools and requirements for Arab and international beekeeping in one place, in addition to informing the participants about the latest scientific research and innovations of local and international experts, and developing the skills of those referrals in marketing their products to the visitors of the festival, which attracts the largest number of visitors.”

Al-Ghazwani pointed out that through the festival, they are working on educating beekeepers by improving the ways of packing and presenting their products and marketing them to the honey traders in the kingdom and the Gulf.