The moderate climate and abundant flowering trees in the Tihama area of Al-Baha region have attracted thousands of beekeepers with thousands of hives, providing an ideal environment for honey production from seasonal blossoms like Acacia, Ziziphus Spina-Christi, Salvadora Persica, and other blossoms found in mountainous areas.
The Tihama area is currently enjoying a pleasant, moderate climate, enhanced by flowing valleys and lush green vegetation. The Saudi Press Agency visited these sites to gather the perspectives of the beekeepers and highlight the area's natural beauty.
Beekeeper Mohammed Al-Zahrani noted that the migration from the Sarawat Mountains to the Tihama area is driven by climate conditions, rainfall, and tree diversity. This move revitalizes bees after the Ziziphus Spina-Christi season, as their population drops and they need fresh pastures for reproduction.
Beekeeper Ali Al-Ghamdi explained that relocating to the governorates of Qalwa, Al-Hujrah, and Wadi Al-Ahsabah offers bees an abundant food supply, thanks to the year-round greenery. This move also helps protect them from the cold of the high mountains, which can be fatal for bees. He emphasized that beekeeping is a challenging field that requires endurance, knowledge, and experience, yet it remains an important industry and a significant economic resource.
Beekeeper Saleh Al-Omari praised the coordination and understanding among beekeepers in selecting sites, ensuring each apiary is spaced out to prevent bee crossbreeding, promote proper nutrition, and avoid disease transmission. He stressed the importance of each beekeeper's commitment to these practices.
Chairman of the Beekeepers Cooperative Association in Al-Baha Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Shadwi said that around 3,000 beekeepers are registered with the association. They include professionals with over 1,000 hives and amateurs with around 100 hives on average, collectively representing 16% of the Kingdom's total beekeepers. The region produces around 20% of the Kingdom's honey annually, totaling approximately 1,000 tons across 15 different varieties. Al-Baha's diverse climate and vegetation, spanning from Sarawat to Tihama and the desert, support year-round natural honey production and the growth of the beekeeping industry.
Via SPA