Riyadh: The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program (Saudi Reef): announced the completion of 11 development projects worth more than SAR70 million to support and develop Saudi Arabia's beekeeping and honey production sector. The projects contribute to achieving self-sufficiency and reinforcing food security.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Reef spokesperson Majed Al-Buraikan said the program has completed four honey sector projects worth nearly SAR17 million. It also implemented seven projects, worth more than SAR53.3 million, to establish stations for queen bee breeding and bee package production across seven regions. The stations are nearing completion, with an overall completion rate of 99%. Completion rates reached 99% in Tabuk, 98% in Hail, 97% in Madinah, 92% in Jazan, and 91% in Namas in Aseer Region, with varying completion rates in Taif and Najran.
The program also implemented non-construction projects. These include mobile clinic services for diagnosing bee diseases and pests, an awareness guide for beekeepers, three mobile laboratories, and four field clinics for diagnosing bee diseases at quarantine sites and strengthening veterinary oversight of apiaries.
The projects are expected to increase colony numbers, select strains, enhance biodiversity, and create employment and training opportunities for workers in the sector.