Saudi royal reserve abuzz over beekeeping program

A “Bee Basics” training program by the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority is offering qualifications and opportunities that will ultimately strengthen the local economy.

The program provides both theoretical and practical training on the best methods for beekeeping and honey production, reported Saudi Press Agency.

As well as boosting economic development and promoting local products, it empowers young people by developing their skills, introducing them to the latest beekeeping technologies and providing qualifications.

The training program is helping the authority achieve its strategic goals for community development, as well as building industrial leadership.

Once completed, trainees can obtain licenses from the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, and Water, allowing them to practice beekeeping and honey production on the royal reserve in accordance with environmental standards.

They are provided with items such as local beehives, beekeeping jackets and wax scrapers. The authority also provides technical support and consultations for a full year, as well as marketing services.

The royal reserve is well known for the quality of its honey varieties, such as sidr, talh, sayyal and shafallah honey. The authority provides places for beekeepers to set up hives in accordance with regulations that guarantee the preservation and sustainability of natural resources.

Since 2020, around 10,584 beneficiaries have shared honey industry funding of SR140 million ($37.3 million) from the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, also known as Saudi Reef.

Honey production in the Kingdom reached 3,120 tonnes in 2023, a 41 percent increase on 2021. The aim is to increase this to 7,500 tonnes by 2026.