لتعزيز الإنتاج المحلي وتقليص الفجوة: اعتماد 7 محطات لتربية ملكات النحل وإنتاج الطرود بحلول 2026

Initiatives to Enhance Beekeeping in Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture in Saudi Arabia has announced an ambitious plan to establish seven new bee queen rearing and swarm production stations across various regions of the country. These stations will be located in Jazan, Asir, Medina, Mecca, Hail, Tabuk, and Najran, with construction set to be completed by the end of this year. The facilities are expected to be operational by 2026. Existing stations will remain active in Abha, Al-Bahah, Al-Qassim, and Riyadh.

The primary aim of these initiatives is to preserve and increase local bee populations, thereby addressing the significant importation of bee swarms to the Kingdom, which currently amounts to approximately 1.3 million swarms annually. The ministry emphasized that these new projects will enhance the quality of local bee strains through targeted programs at the queen rearing and swarm production stations. Additionally, the ministry plans to train specialists in queen rearing and artificial insemination techniques.

There will be a robust focus on promoting best practices in beekeeping, including the dissemination of knowledge pertaining to the prevention of diseases and pests associated with imported bees. Comprehensive research and studies will also be conducted to improve and preserve the local bee strains, ensuring they are safeguarded from various agricultural hazards.

Furthermore, the ministry highlighted the significant importance of this initiative, which employs advanced methods for selecting and developing local bee strains. To expand the scope of these projects, the ministry intends to present them for investment opportunities through beekeepers’ cooperative societies or private sector partnerships. Measures will also be taken to support and market products coming from these stations.

In conjunction with the celebration of World Bee Day on May 20 each year, the Ministry called for an elevated professional and knowledge level among those engaged in beekeeping. It is crucial to maintain bee health in order to mitigate diseases, pests, and adverse environmental factors, while also protecting the country’s apicultural wealth from the risks posed by pesticides. The ministry is actively working on modernizing traditional beekeeping methods through systematic regulation and oversight of both individual and commercial beekeeping operations.

In light of these developments, the ministry has launched various initiatives to modernize beekeeping practices and improve productivity efficiency. This will not only yield higher economic returns but also secure the sustainability of this vital resource that supports many workers in the sector. Currently, the Kingdom has about 25,644 licensed beekeepers, collectively producing roughly 5,832 tons of honey from one million hives. The diverse floral coverage in Saudi Arabia supports a variety of bee products, with around 20 types of honey available, including notable ones like Sidr, Talh, and Samr honey.

Additionally, the financial backing provided by the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, known as "Riyf Saudi Arabia," has catalyzed growth in the number of beekeepers, with total enrollment reaching 14,000. This support amounted to around 190 million Riyals. The ministry has also implemented several projects aimed at empowering beekeepers. To further enhance this support, three state-of-the-art laboratories for diagnosing honeybee diseases and pests have been established, along with eight mobile clinics stationed in various regions to provide diagnostic services.

These clinics not only deliver examinations but also offer educational outreach and guidance for beekeepers directly in their apiary habitats. Equipped with screens, these mobile units facilitate the provision of crucial information about best practices, ensuring that beekeepers are well-informed and capable of maximizing the benefits of their craft.

The strategic initiatives by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture represent a significant step towards bolstering the beekeeping industry in Saudi Arabia, ensuring the health of local bee populations, and enhancing the overall sustainability of this important sector.