The Ministry of Municipality’s Agricultural Affairs Department is continuing its efforts to promote sustainable agricultural development through the National Honey Bee Project in conjunction with World Bee Day, observed annually today.
Since its launch in 2013, the project has become one of the leading national initiatives in enhancing agricultural production, protecting the environment, and continuously feeding the development of Qatar’s beekeeping sector.
The project is a part of initiatives aimed at increasing agricultural production and improving farm productivity. It combines economic, environmental, and educational dimensions by supporting farmers and encouraging investment in beekeeping and the production of high-quality local honey.
The project has achieved tangible results over the past few years. A total of 165 Qatari farms have benefited from it through foundational and developmental support, which has increased the number of beehives from 1,650 at the start of the project to around 3,600 currently. Local honey production is estimated at approximately 21,600 kilograms (21.6 tonnes) annually.
The project aims to diversify farmers’ income sources, improve natural pollination rates for agricultural crops, increase farm productivity, enhance biodiversity and wildlife within agricultural environments, and support the production of local honey that meets the highest quality standards. As part of efforts to develop the beekeeping sector and improve hive productivity, the Agricultural Affairs Department has, since 2015, been producing an average of 250 virgin queen bees annually to support local apiaries, improve bee strains, enhance hive efficiency, and increase production.
The project also provides continuous technical support to beneficiary farms through approximately 80 field visits per month conducted by engineers from the Agricultural Development Section. These visits include providing technical guidance on apiary management, disease prevention, and improving production practices, as well as monitoring performance to ensure the project’s sustainability.
The project places significant emphasis on awareness and education by organising guidance lectures and awareness sessions for farm owners, beekeepers, school and university students, and hobbyists. The goal is to spread the beekeeping culture and raise awareness of the importance of bees and their vital role in maintaining ecological balance and increasing agricultural production.
These activities are organised throughout the year through field visits and lectures at the educational apiary, with an average of eight major lectures annually.
As part of its integrated support system, the department also provides honey analysis services to verify compliance with quality standards. It also works to involve beneficiary farmers in agricultural exhibitions and local honey fairs, promoting Qatari honey and enhancing its competitiveness in the local market.
Yousef Khalid al-Khulaifi, director of the Agricultural Affairs Department, affirmed that the National Honey Bee Project reflects the Ministry of Municipality’s commitment to supporting farmers and adopting sustainable agricultural projects that deliver both economic and environmental value. He noted that bees are essential to enhancing food security through their vital role in pollinating crops and boosting productivity.
He added that the ministry continues to develop the project and expand its benefits by providing technical and advisory support to farms and by raising public awareness about the importance of protecting bees and supporting the sustainability of the agricultural environment.
Meanwhile, Ahmed al- Yafei, Head of the Agricultural Development Section at the Agricultural Affairs Department, explained that the project has succeeded in creating a positive economic and environmental impact within Qatari farms by improving agricultural production efficiency, diversifying farmers’ income sources, and supporting the production of high-quality local honey trusted by consumers. He pointed out that the continued growth in the number of beehives as well as local honey production reflects the project’s success and its ability to achieve sustainability. He further emphasised the department’s commitment to developing the technical and marketing services provided to farmers and beekeepers in ways that strengthen the competitiveness of the local product.