ADAFSA reaffirms commitment to advancing Emirati honeybee breed
20 May 2025 14:14
ABU DHABI (WAM) The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) reiterates its unwavering support for Emirati beekeepers, in celebration of World Bee Day, observed annually on May 20.This commitment is exemplified through the continued provision of high-quality queen bees from the Emirati honeybee breed, aiming to ensure the sustainability of the beekeeping sector and enhance the production of premium local honey varieties such as Samar, Sidr, Ghaf, Mangrove, and wildflower.Between March and April 2025, ADAFSA successfully bred and produced 2,100 tenth-generation queen bees of the Emirati honeybee breed. This initiative is part of ADAFSA's ongoing efforts to develop a resilient local bee strain, reducing reliance on imported bee colonies and ensuring the sustainability of beekeeping practices within the UAE.From 2016 to 2024, ADAFSA produced nine generations of Emirati queen bees, totalling 18,692 queens, with 14,461 distributed to beekeepers across the nation.In the current year, ADAFSA has distributed 1,350 tenth-generation queens to 39 beekeepers. The breeding programme aims to produce 2,300 queens during the spring season (March–May) and an additional 3,000 queens in the autumn season (October–November), culminating in a total of 5,300 tenth-generation queens by the end of 2025.ADAFSA is intensifying efforts to elevate local honey to global markets.From January 31 to February 9, 2025, the authority organised the Al Wathba Honey Festival, held in conjunction with the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award at the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi.The festival featured participation from 50 beekeepers and honey production companies.It included eight competitions, introducing new categories for the best wax mould and best honey product packaging.
A total of 272 participants competed, with 40 winners receiving prizes amounting to Dh439,000.
To further promote awareness of the unique value of Emirati honey, ADAFSA produced an educational video showcasing the diverse honey varieties derived from the UAE's varied landscapes—from the mountains of Al Ain and the deserts of Abu Dhabi to the mangrove coasts.Highlighted honey types include Samar, Sidr, Ghaf, Mangrove, and wildflower honeys. The video underscores the pivotal role of beekeepers and queen bees in producing this valuable nectar and emphasises ADAFSA's efforts in developing the Emirati honeybee breed. It also highlights honey's status as a natural source rich in antioxidants with numerous health benefits.The video conveys the message that protecting bees is a civilised practice essential for sustaining biodiversity and food security in the country.In the realm of guidance and education, ADAFSA has conducted various workshops and scientific seminars on beekeeping and honey production.Topics covered include preparing honey samples for local and international competitions, evaluation mechanisms in honey contests, and interactive sessions with beekeepers to discuss challenges in the beekeeping sector and strategies to overcome them.Additionally, ADAFSA has implemented two training courses on the fundamentals of beekeeping, targeting novice beekeepers, and another course on the breeding and introduction of queen honeybees.These courses are scheduled to be repeated in October 2025. Furthermore, a training course on honeybee pests and diseases and their control methods is planned for June 2025, aiming to maintain healthy bee colonies capable of thriving in the UAE's conditions and producing high-quality products.In support of events focused on honey, ADAFSA, in collaboration with the Beekeepers Association, played an active role in organising and evaluating the 13th edition of the International Meeting of Young Beekeepers (IMYB), held in Dubai from December 18 to 22, 2024. This marked the first time this global event was hosted outside Europe, reflecting ADAFSA's commitment to fostering a culture of beekeeping among youth both locally and internationally.The event brought together over 100 young participants aged 12 to 18 from more than 40 countries. Activities included practical and theoretical competitions, educational workshops, and cultural programmes designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and raise awareness about the importance of bees in food security and environmental sustainability.As part of its educational initiatives, ADAFSA has published a comprehensive scientific guide titled "Bees and Beekeeping in the United Arab Emirates," the first of its kind locally.The publication highlights the biodiversity of bee species, sustainable hive management practices, and environmental challenges facing the beekeeping sector in the UAE. An accompanying children's booklet has been released to educate young readers about the significance of bees and honey production in an accessible and engaging manner.In its ongoing efforts in monitoring and prevention, ADAFSA has recently launched a national project to monitor diseases and pests affecting honeybee colonies. The project aims to establish an accurate database of health challenges threatening the Emirati honeybee breed and to develop a comprehensive national plan to manage these challenges in accordance with global best practices.
The project's findings are expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2026.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sharjah 24
14 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
Bodour Al Qasimi inaugurates 'Six Degrees' Exhibition
Diverse academic disciplines on display The exhibition features projects from a wide range of CAAD programs, including architecture, interior design, design management, multimedia design, visual communication, and urban planning. It provides a vital platform for connecting students with representatives from the UAE's design and creative sectors. A culmination of academic growth Dr Varkki Pallathucheril, Dean of College of Architecture, Art and Design) CAAD,) emphasised that the exhibition represents the culmination of each student's academic journey, marked by creative exploration, studio work, and professional development. Bridging education and industry His Excellency Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SRTI Park, highlighted the park's role in hosting the exhibition, underlining its importance in promoting innovation and supporting young designers and architects. He noted that the event demonstrates a commitment to fostering sustainable, human-centered solutions through the collaboration of academia and industry. Honouring academic excellence As part of the event, CAAD held its annual awards ceremony, recognising 28 exceptional students and faculty members for academic excellence, creativity, leadership, and service to the AUS community. Featuring Dr Najat Makki This year's edition also includes a special showcase by pioneering Emirati artist Dr Najat Makki, who is the 2024–2025 artist-in-residence at AUS. Her selected works, developed during her residency, are featured as a central part of the exhibition, which continues until June 8.
Emirates 24/7
a day ago
- Emirates 24/7
Emirati mobile heart clinics tour Pakistani villages to provide comprehensive healthcare
The United Arab Emirates has continued to strengthen its humanitarian efforts in Pakistan by launching a new phase of mobile community clinic services, initiated by 'Doctors of the Emirates.' These clinics are currently intensifying their operations in remote villages to provide free specialised and preventive medical care, focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases, especially among children, women, and the elderly. The mobile clinics operate within an integrated field system supervised by specialised medical teams, including cardiologists, pediatricians, family doctors, nurses, lab technicians, and pharmacists. They are fully equipped with all necessary medical supplies, and medications and consultations are provided free of charge. This project is a continuation of 25 years of Emirati voluntary medical efforts in Pakistan, carried out through the UAE-Pakistan Field Hospital, which has benefited over one million people under the supervision of joint UAE-Pakistani medical teams. The initiative is implemented in coordination with the UAE Embassy in Pakistan and through a partnership between the Zayed Giving Initiative, the Sharjah Charity House, Emirates Mobile Community Clinics, and the Emirates Programme for Young Humanitarian Leaders. It serves as an innovative model for collaboration between governmental, private, and non-profit sectors in the field of community healthcare. Dr. Adel Al Shameri, Emirati heart surgeon and CEO of the Zayed Giving initiative, stated that the intensification of clinic operations coincides with the 'Year of the Community' and aims to recruit and train medical professionals to empower them to play their humanitarian role in serving underprivileged communities. He explained that the UAE-Pakistan medical programme is based on four key pillars: the Pakistan Readiness Programme to train frontline medical workers, the operation of mobile clinics, the organisation of scientific forums for knowledge exchange in community medicine, and the development of young medical leaders to ensure the sustainability of healthcare programmes. Sultan Al Khayal, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Charity House, emphasised that the mobile clinics are a practical solution for residents of remote villages who find it difficult to access hospitals. He noted that the 2025 plan includes coverage of over 20 Pakistani villages as part of a sustainable operational strategy. Dr. Mumtaz Al Balooshi, Medical Director of the UAE-Pakistan Mobile Clinics, said the clinics focus on early detection programmes and free treatment, especially for chronic heart diseases. He confirmed that cooperation between Emirati and Pakistani medical teams contributes to delivering effective healthcare services to low-income patients. Al Jouri Al Ajmi, Director of the Emirates Programme for Young Humanitarian Leaders, stated that work is underway to expand the geographic coverage of the clinics and the field hospital to reach more villages, in collaboration with local partners and the UAE Embassy in Pakistan. Residents of the Pakistani villages expressed their gratitude for the UAE's efforts in providing free healthcare, praising the quality of services that have alleviated their suffering. They affirmed that this initiative embodies the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as the UAE's wise leadership continues to promote a global culture of humanitarian and volunteer work. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
'Hope Remains:' UAE's humanitarian aid for Gaza gets global accolades
The International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council has released a documentary film highlighting the humanitarian efforts and initiatives provided by the United Arab Emirates to the residents of Gaza affected by the humanitarian crisis in the Strip. The film tells real-life stories of individuals who represent thousands who have received aid from the UAE, embodying the nation's historic humanitarian role in supporting the brotherly Palestinian people. Titled "Hope Remains," the film premiered on the global Discovery Channel, reflecting international appreciation for the UAE's leading and continuous role in supporting Gaza's residents. The UAE established a 100-bed floating hospital docked in Al Arish port in Egypt. WAM As of last November, the UAE's contributions accounted for 42% of the total humanitarian aid provided to the Strip since October 2023, amounting to $828 million. The documentary showcases the values of generosity and fraternity that define the UAE, its people, and residents. It features firsthand accounts from beneficiaries of UAE initiatives and interviews with aid workers involved in this humanitarian journey. Through unique and unprecedented scenes, the film illustrates the transformative impact on the health and psychological well-being of many who received assistance and initiatives. The UAE has provided modern and fully equipped ambulances to hospitals in the Gaza Strip. WAM Beneficiaries recount the difficult circumstances they endured during the war and their initial despair, followed by the rekindling of hope, all conveyed through a narrative style that blends personal experience with storytelling. International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council plans to release "Hope Remains" in both its international and national versions, in Arabic and English, on its social media platforms and national television channels throughout June. This film is part of the Council's ongoing effort to highlight the humanitarian endeavours of various UAE organisations working in the humanitarian field. This recognition underscores the vital role these entities play in conveying the nation's humanitarian message, founded on fraternity and solidarity with brothers and friends worldwide. It is worth noting that last year, the Council launched "On the Frontline," a series of short documentaries showcasing individuals working and volunteering in relief and humanitarian initiatives implemented by Emirati entities within the UAE, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Gaza Strip. These films highlighted their roles in providing assistance and relief to the brotherly Palestinian people and enabling initiatives to achieve their objectives. They were broadcast on national television channels and digital platforms. The examples featured in the documentary series underscore the cohesive social fabric of the UAE, built on fostering values of goodness, solidarity, and human compassion with brothers and friends during times of adversity and crisis. Under the guidance of its wise leadership, the UAE continues to provide relief and humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza, driven by its commitment to alleviate suffering for the most vulnerable groups, especially children, who constitute nearly half of the Strip's population. Relevant UAE humanitarian teams are working tirelessly to achieve this goal, consistent with the UAE's fraternal stance and its steadfast approach to supporting brothers in times of crisis. WAM
