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Muscat Daily
2 hours ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
MAFWR moves to boost honey industry
Muscat – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) held a high-level meeting in Muscat on Tuesday to discuss the development of Oman's beekeeping sector and ways to increase the added value of locally produced honey. The session was chaired by H E Dr Ahmed bin Nasser al Bakri, Undersecretary for Agricultural Resources in MAFWR, and attended by beekeepers, officials from honey export and import companies, and representatives from the ministry. Participants reviewed key economic indicators, identified sector challenges, and discussed proposals to improve production and raise the quality of Omani honey for better competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. H E Bakri described the beekeeping sector as an important part of national food security and a potential contributor to economic diversification. He called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure sustainability and implement best practices in honey production and marketing. Omani honey, particularly Sidr and Samr varieties, is valued for its quality, attributed to the country's biodiversity and unique flora in the region.
Muscat Daily
6 days ago
- General
- Muscat Daily
Oman's beekeepers harvest 3 tonnes of honey in Manah
Manah – The wilayat of Manah in Dakhliyah has recorded a honey yield of around three tonnes this season, mainly comprising the Sidr and Samr varieties. More than 100 beekeepers operate approximately 1,400 beehives in the wilayat, contributing to a growing sector that supports both local livelihoods and the wider economy. Mohammed Harib al Bahlani, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources in Manah, said the profession plays a key role in meeting domestic demand and promoting Omani honey through festivals and trade events within and outside the sultanate. Bahlani said the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources is backing the sector through a national programme that supports honeybee breeding and expansion. The initiative includes training, technical support, and the provision of modern tools to ensure sustainable honey production. 'This season saw a marked increase in Samr honey due to better pasture conditions and the absence of pests and diseases,' Bahlani said. 'The result is higher availability and lower prices for consumers.' The department also organises awareness programmes for students and practical training for beekeepers, covering hive management, bee propagation and queen rearing. Veteran beekeeper Nasser bin Hamoud al Busaidi, who has been harvesting honey for over four decades, recalled collecting honey from valleys and mountains in his early days. 'Today, I maintain a permanent apiary in the wilayat and sell honey through social media, which provides a steady income,' he said. 'I also plan to raise Harmal honey bees soon.' He acknowledged the challenges of transporting hives during extreme heat or drought, but said this season was productive due to abundant Samr blossoms and favourable dry conditions.
Al Etihad
20-05-2025
- General
- Al Etihad
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 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 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 2016 to 2024, ADAFSA produced nine generations of Emirati queen bees, totalling 18,692 queens, with 14,461 distributed to beekeepers across the 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 is intensifying efforts to elevate local honey to global 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 festival featured participation from 50 beekeepers and honey production 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 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 video conveys the message that protecting bees is a civilised practice essential for sustaining biodiversity and food security in the the realm of guidance and education, ADAFSA has conducted various workshops and scientific seminars on beekeeping and honey 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 ADAFSA has implemented two training courses on the fundamentals of beekeeping, targeting novice beekeepers, and another course on the breeding and introduction of queen 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 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 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 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 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 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.
Al Etihad
19-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Meet the Emirati beekeeper whose hives produce UAE's most prized honey varieties
20 May 2025 00:40 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)What began as a deeply personal quest for pure, high-quality honey has blossomed into a 24-year beekeeping legacy for Ahmed Al Mazroui, an Emirati beekeeper from Abu Al Mazroui manages over 400 beehives producing some of the UAE's most prized honey varieties, including Sidr, Samar, Al Ghaf, mangrove, Al Athel, Al Ashkar, fruit honey, and the rare white Emirati journey into the world of beekeeping was sparked in 2000 by a twist of facing challenges starting a family, Al Mazroui turned to natural remedies. Friends advised him to try honey and royal jelly – ingredients believed in traditional medicine to support fertility. This search for pure, authentic honey marked the start of his beekeeping adventure at 20 years old. "I began by buying honey from different tradesmen, searching for the purest and highest quality I could find," he told Aletihad . "Later on, my wife became pregnant, and that moment forever tied me to the world of bees." How It StartedInitially, Al Mazroui worked for seven years selling imported honey. His turning point came when he met a local beekeeper who introduced him to Emirati Sidr honey, known for its potent flavour and health benefits. With an initial investment of Dh3,000, Al Mazroui purchased his first three boxes of beehives."I started with just six beehives, learning through observation, asking questions, experimenting, and even watching YouTube videos," he explained."Within two years, I grew to 50 beehives, and it became clear I couldn't manage them alone."Today, Al Mazroui has 14 children who play a key role in his beekeeping business, helping him at exhibitions and sales 2025, the Emirati beekeeper took his business to new heights, launching four major beekeeping include producing fruit honey, founding a queen bee production station, opening a bee garden in Al Ain for public education, and producing locally sourced royal jelly instead of importing it. The Value of Hard Work Reflecting on his 24-year journey, Al Mazroui said beekeeping has taught him invaluable life lessons."Bees teach you patience, endurance, and generosity. The more you care for them, the more they care for you; the more you give them, the more they give you," he said."These beautiful creatures are tireless workers, teaching us the value of dedication and hard work."On the occasion of World Bee Day, celebrated on May 20, Al Mazroui shared a piece of advice for aspiring beekeepers. "Anyone entering the beekeeping profession must be honest, trustworthy, and appreciative of the work these creatures do, providing us with both medicine and nourishing food," he said. "It's a blessed profession."
Al Etihad
19-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
For this Emirati beekeeper, honey symbolises healing, hospitality in UAE culture
20 May 2025 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)In the cool, quiet hours of the morning, when the desert air still holds a trace of the night's chill, Amina Bin Kalli walks among her hives in the apiary, watching as her bees stir to life. This Emirati beekeeper's daily routine involves careful hive inspections, monitoring colony behaviour, and checking for signs of queen activity or potential threats. "Beekeeping requires precision and attention to detail," she explained in an interview with Aletihad . "The more hives you have, the more hours you need to dedicate." For Bin Kalli, beekeeping has involved a deeply personal journey, one that connects her to the landscapes and traditions of her began as curiosity stirred by a lone hive on her family farm and later matured into a full-fledged profession, blending ancient Emirati practices with modern technologies."I was inspired by our rich Emirati environment, with its desert landscapes and native flora, as well as our deep-rooted heritage in beekeeping," she said. For generations, Emiratis have kept bees near Sidr and Ghaf trees, producing honey used as both a source of nourishment and a traditional medicine. Bin Kalli sees her work as part of this ongoing legacy. "Honey has always symbolised hospitality and healing in our culture," she said. Today, she produces a wide variety of local honey, including the prized Sidr, Samar, Ghaf, Mangrove, Wildflower, and Mountain Herb varieties – each with unique flavours and health has seamlessly integrated technology into her operations, using smart cooling systems and hive sensors to monitor temperature and humidity, critical for maintaining bee health in the UAE's intense summer heat. She has also diversified her product line, developing innovative honey-based products like chocolates, with plans to expand globally. Building a Community As a woman in the field of beekeeping, Bin Kalli believes her patient and meticulous temperament have been key to her success. She is the founder of the "Emirati Women Beekeepers" group – a professional training platform with nearly 100 members. "I'm passionate about raising awareness and encouraging more women to enter this field with confidence," Bin Kalli is also committed to playing an active role in community education. Bin Kalli has supervised the UAE Junior Beekeeping Team, which won 1st place at the International Meeting of Young Beekeepers in 2024. She also regularly conducts workshops and lectures, including sessions at the Dubai Ladies Club and the Farmers' Market, sharing her knowledge with aspiring beekeepers and the broader dedication has not gone unnoticed. In 2025, Bin Kalli earned a Gold Medal at the World Honey Quality Competition in Paris, solidifying her place among the world's top beekeepers. The year before, she received the Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award in the "Outstanding Beekeeper" category. In 2023, her skill in honey production was recognized when she took first place for Best Crystallized Honey at the Liwa Ajman Festival and secured second place in the Open International Category at the Liwa Date Festival & the occasion of World Bee Day, Bin Kalli encourages aspiring beekeepers to enter the field with confidence. "Bees are not just a source of honey," she said. "They are a symbol of ecological balance. If you want to support this critical work, plant native species, support local honey, and be part of protecting this natural treasure."
