Jazan festival boosts beekeeping, honey industry

The ninth Jazan Honey Festival, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s Jazan branch, has created a buzz after attracting more than 80 beekeepers from the region and beyond, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The festival, organized in collaboration with various entities, research centers, and 10 governmental and nongovernmental organizations, showcased the thriving world of beekeeping.

The ministry also deployed a mobile clinic that conducted examinations of bee samples and addressed prevalent bee diseases. Under the guidance of a specialized team, the clinic provided essential treatments, catering to the needs of all participating beekeepers.

Highlighting the festival’s objectives, Mohammed bin Ali Al-Atif, the general director of the ministry’s Jazan branch, emphasized the strategic focus on involving cooperative associations and beekeepers.

He said that the aim was to enhance the role of these associations, boosting honey production and elevating the quality standards of Jazan’s honey for international markets. The festival also underscored the region’s distinctive position as a sanctuary for local bee species.

Comprising eight educational and training workshops, the festival offered valuable insights to about 240 participants, including beekeepers and those interested in honey production and its derivatives in the Jazan region.

The workshops covered scientific advancements in honey-related fields such as processing industries, diagnosis of bee diseases and pests, sample collection procedures, the impact of pesticides on bees, and modern applications and technologies for beekeepers.

With an impressive turnout of more than 110,000 visitors during the 10-day event, attendees were treated to a display of in excess of 600 tons of honey products. The festival showcased premium honey varieties such as sidr, sumr, salam, dhiyaneh, majra, qatad and sahaya, consolidating its status as an important event in the beekeeping and honey industry.