Buzzing with Excitement: Celebrating World Bee Day 2024

Today, on 20th May 2024, we come together globally to celebrate World Bee Day. Global communities unite in celebrating the vital role of pollinators, echoing this year's theme, Bee Engaged with Youth, which spotlights the significance of young people in safeguarding these crucial species. Recognizing bees and other pollinators as pivotal contributors to ecosystems, with nearly 90 percent of flowering plants and over 75 percent of food crops reliant on their pollination services, underscores their indispensable contribution to global food security and biodiversity. Despite their significant roles, these vital species face imminent threats from habitat degradation, pesticide use, and climate change, imperilling their existence and the broader biodiversity essential for human survival. 

In response to these challenges, a collective resolve emerges, fuelled by a shared commitment to environmental stewardship. Individuals are taking proactive steps, from cultivating native plants to supporting local farmers and reducing pesticide usage to safeguard pollinators and nurture resilient ecosystems. Beyond individual efforts, governments and policymakers are urged to enact strategic measures, bolster community engagement, and foster cross-border partnerships to create a conducive environment for pollinators to thrive.

FAO’s Regional Office for Near East and North Africa (RNE) plays a crucial role in this endeavour, collaborating with stakeholders to revitalize beekeeping practices and promote sustainable agricultural solutions tailored to the unique challenges of the region. FAO leverages its expertise and resources to drive transformative change, ensuring that pollinators flourish and contribute to the region's environmental health and food security.

Harvesting success: Lessons learnt for elevating beekeeping practices to foster environmental health and nutritional prosperity

Honey production in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region carries substantial economic, ecological, and cultural value. The cultural connections to beekeeping in the region stretch back centuries, with traditional methods being handed down through generations. This underscores the critical role of honey production in preserving cultural heritage and community identity.

Furthermore, the apiculture industry supports the livelihoods of rural populations by generating income through the sale of honey and other bee products. In 2020, honey production in Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia was estimated at 5377, 764, 8334 and 3645 tonnes of honey respectively (FAO, 2021). While in Yemen, honey production increased from around 600 tonnes per year in 2000 to 2,750 tonnes in 2017, with 2,000 tonnes exported.

Egypt's beekeeping industry is a vital economic force, boasting 2.5 million beehives and supporting 25,000 to 30,000 households. It is considered one of the most important countries in beekeeping sector in the Middle East, among Arab nations and Africa. With over 1.2 million bee packages and 115 tonnes of bee wax exported in 2018, Egypt is also the leading exporter of bee packages and bee wax in the Mediterranean. With 270,000 beekeepers, Egypt is a key player in the Middle East and Africa, producing 30,000 tonnes  of honey annually, contributing to regional food security and economic growth.

 This is especially crucial in regions where traditional farming is challenging due to arid climates and water scarcity. Beekeeping is relatively suitable for arid climatic regions because it requires little water/rain compared to other agriculture activities.  Additionally, honey production bolsters related industries, including those involved in producing wax, propolis, and royal jelly, thereby expanding economic opportunities in rural areas. In an FAO project, more than 20 beekeeping related occupations were identified.

FAO's beekeeping projects in the NENA region are geared towards revitalizing beekeeping practices and empowering communities. In Iraq, a pioneering project supported by FAO and local partners has led to a resurgence in beekeeping by addressing key issues such as bee diseases and lack of technical expertise. This initiative not only revived beekeeping but also prioritized gender inclusivity, resulting in increased honey production and enhanced food security.

Similarly, in the sultanate of Oman, where honey production exceeded 500 tonnes in 2022 according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information NCSI, FAO embarked on a collaborative initiative to strengthen the Oman's apiculture sector by improving organizational capacities, enhancing technical expertise, and diversifying honey-related products. FAO empowered beekeepers, including women, to tap into the immense potential of Oman's honey industry.

Beekeeping in Saudi Arabia is long standing and widely practiced by more than 15,000 households as means of income generation and diversification. Despite arid climatic conditions because of the presence of diverse ecologies and floral resources that allows to migrate bees to exploit bee forage resources at different seasons and ecologies make Saudi Arabia to remain potential for beekeeping.

According to the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture  (MEWA), the country produces about 5000 tonnes of honey annually and its target is to reach 7500 tonnes by 2026.  Through the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development (SRAD) Programme jointly formulated by FAO and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. FAO Saudi Arabia is trying to address the challenges faced by the country in the beekeeping industry through providing technical support, demonstrating improved beekeeping technologies and good beekeeping practices, queen rearing and colony multiplication and organic beekeeping. FAO Saudi Arabia is working to enhance the skill and knowledge of beekeepers and the staff of MEWA through conducting a series of beekeeping trainings. Moreover, FAO Saudi Arabia supports the country’s beekeeping sector through the development of the National honeybee breeding progamme, sustainable honeybee health and disease prevention and control strategies, and producing and disseminating knowledge products (beekeeping resource book, guidelines, manuals, leaflets, and extension messages). In addition, FAO Saudi Arabia collaborates with MEWA to support women in engaging with value addition and diversification of bee products. FAO aims to enhance the productivity and sustainability of beekeeping practices and conservation of the indigenous bee, contributing to food security and environmental conservation.

In Morocco, there were 36,300 beekeepers in 2019, marking a 65 percent increase since 2009. Honey production reached 7,960 tonnes in 2019, representing a 69 percent increase according to the Ministry of agriculture.

In the Southern areas of the country, FAO established a centre for the preservation and development of the Yellow Saharan bee breed that is not aggressive and adapted to harsh environment of the desert. This breed was on the verge of extinction and thanks to a pure nucleus selection programme and the use of artificial insemination, more than 10,000 fertilized queens were distributed, and a dozen nurseries were set up.

Moreover, FAO launched in the High Atlas region of the country, a transformative post-earthquake project, focusing on beekeeping as a means of economic recovery and empowerment. By providing training, technical assistance, and essential resources, FAO empowers communities to embark on successful beekeeping ventures, promoting social equity and resilience-building.

Another project at the subregional level focuses on comprehensively assessing the beekeeping sector in Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia has been launched, in 2023, in partnership with the Arab Maghreb Union. Through this initiative, the aim is to analyze various facets of the industry, including bee populations, production, market dynamics, policies, and challenges, with the goal of formulating an inclusive strategy to enhance the sector's capacity, productivity, and quality. Ultimately, these efforts aspire to foster sustainable and inclusive beekeeping development, positioning it as a cornerstone for sustainable territorial growth and biodiversity conservation across the Maghreb region.

The efforts in the NENA region demonstrate the vital role of beekeeping in promoting economic growth, environmental sustainability, and cultural heritage. Through these collaborative projects, communities have revitalized beekeeping practices, empowering individuals and enhancing food security. These successes underscore the importance of investing in sustainable beekeeping, biodiversity preservation, and inclusive economic opportunities for a resilient future in the region.

Learn more about related projects and initiatives

In alignment with the Regional Priority of Greening Agriculture, FAO RNE's initiatives are pivotal in catalyzing transformative change across the region, fostering agricultural efficiency, and bolstering resilience. These efforts encompass a spectrum of activities aimed at promoting sustainable practices and empowering local communities. For instance, FAO supports Saudi Arabia's endeavours in promoting beekeeping technologies and Syria's innovative beekeeping ventures facilitated through FAO's Nabta programme. Additionally, FAO's active participation in events such as the Arab Beekeeping Association Conference and the Al-Baha International Honey Festival further amplifies its role in knowledge dissemination and capacity building within the sector. From the preservation and enhancement of Yemeni honey production amidst challenging conditions, to the mission of Moroccan beekeepers to safeguard the Saharan Yellow Bee, these initiatives underscore a concerted effort towards sustainable agricultural practices and biodiversity conservation. A collaborative venture between the FAO and the Union of the Arab Maghreb (UMA) has also been initiated to support beekeeping in Maghreb countries, promoting biodiversity preservation and economic development. Additionally, KHIBRA, FAO’s Regional Knowledge Hub for Integrated Biodiversity Resilience and Agrosilvopastoral Food Systems, complements these efforts by serving as a platform for cross-border knowledge sharing and collaboration, thereby amplifying initiatives to enhance environmental sustainability in the region.

Visit our website to find out more about RNE’s efforts in advancing the region's agrifood system and enhancing agricultural efficiency and resilience: RP3 webpage