海角直播

How organic beekeeping is transforming a traditional Saudi industry into a model of sustainable growth

Special How organic beekeeping is transforming a traditional Saudi industry into a model of sustainable growth
1 / 2
Mansour Al-Mgaslah, beekeeper and supervisor of the Mangrove Honey Production Initiative, showcasing fresh honey straight from the hive. (Supplied)
Special How organic beekeeping is transforming a traditional Saudi industry into a model of sustainable growth
2 / 2
A bee farm located beside a mangrove forest in the Kingdom's Arabian Gulf coast. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 12 July 2025

How organic beekeeping is transforming a traditional Saudi industry into a model of sustainable growth

How organic beekeeping is transforming a traditional Saudi industry into a model of sustainable growth
  • Over 15,000 beekeepers in the Kingdom now use modern hives, transforming honey into a major economic and export sector
  • Government support, organic certification, and participation in exhibitions have helped scale production for international markets

JEDDAH: 海角直播鈥檚 honey sector is experiencing a quiet revolution, one that blends centuries-old beekeeping traditions with the precision of modern sustainable agriculture.

Once an overlooked element of rural life, honey production in the Kingdom is now gaining global recognition, fueled by organic certification, government support and the determination of pioneering beekeepers.

Among the leading figures shaping this transformation is Jassim Almughrabi, 海角直播鈥檚 first certified organic honey producer and owner of Mughrabi Apiaries.

With decades of experience, including his tenure as a honeybee specialist at the Ministry of Agriculture, Almughrabi discussed with Arab News the profound shift that has taken place in recent years.

鈥淎fter the government showed strong interest in organic agriculture, things became much more comfortable for us,鈥 he said.听

鈥淚 had already registered as an organic honey producer, but when the Ministry of Agriculture started giving support and donations to beekeepers who wanted to convert from conventional to organic, our production improved significantly.鈥

This institutional backing has allowed local beekeepers to grow their operations and expand into new markets.

Almughrabi highlighted how the ministry not only facilitated certifications but also opened doors for beekeepers to participate in national exhibitions like BIOFACH 海角直播, a major event now held annually in Riyadh.




Saudi beekeepers are now a regular participant in BIOFACH, the annual international exhibition for organic products sponsored by 海角直播's Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. (SPA)

鈥淭hrough the Organic Cooperative Society, we are even allowed to participate free of charge,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he government really helped us spread our presence in the field, and we thank them for that.鈥

At the heart of 海角直播鈥檚 beekeeping heritage lies a deep knowledge of traditional methods, especially in the mountainous regions of Makkah, Madinah, Abha, Al-Baha and Taif.

For centuries, beekeepers in these areas used hollowed logs to house bees, drawing from nature to sustain their practices. While this form of beekeeping still holds cultural value, a shift began around 45 years ago when the ministry encouraged farmers to adopt modern beehive systems.




Mangrove trees along the Kingdom's Arabian Gulf coast pllay an important role in beekeeping. (Supplied)

鈥淚 was working in the Ministry of Agriculture back then,鈥 said Almughrabi. 鈥淲e conducted training courses to help traditional beekeepers transition to modern methods, like the Langstroth hive used in Europe and America. Now, more than 15,000 beekeepers across the Kingdom have adopted these techniques.鈥

This has transformed the industry, making Saudi honey a highly sought-after commodity.

Mansour Al-Mgaslah, beekeeper and supervisor of the Mangrove Honey Production Initiative said: 鈥淭he honey sector in the Kingdom has witnessed a remarkable transformation in recent years, driven by a growing awareness of the importance of sustainable beekeeping practices.听




Mangrove flowers help sustain bee populations. (Supplied)

鈥淏eekeepers are now committing to environmental and health standards and adopting modern technologies to preserve the health of both bees and plants.鈥

This transition is not without its challenges. Desertification, pesticide use, and climate change are pressing environmental issues that threaten both bee populations and floral diversity.

However, both Almughrabi and Al-Mgaslah believe sustainable beekeeping offers practical solutions. By encouraging vegetation restoration and reducing chemical dependencies, beekeepers can help preserve ecosystems that bees and honey production rely on.




Beekeeping boxes set up for harvesting. (Supplied)

鈥淪ome of the major challenges include the shrinking of natural pastures and increasing desertification,鈥 said Al-Mgaslah. 鈥淪ustainable beekeeping helps restore ecological balance by preserving bees as sensitive and effective environmental indicators.鈥

Al-Mgaslah shared the sentiment.

鈥淏iodiversity is not just an environmental value. It is essential for ensuring the continuity of high-quality honey production,鈥 he said. 鈥淣ative plants such as sidr, samar, talh and mangrove provide bees with rich and pure nectar sources. Supporting this biodiversity contributes to building a more resilient and stable ecosystem.鈥

Opinion

This section contains relevant reference points, placed in (Opinion field)

Almughrabi says government schemes have already begun to yield results. 鈥淲hen Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the Saudi Green Initiative, valleys were protected from overgrazing and greenery started returning,鈥 he said.

鈥淭his led to a noticeable increase in honey production. Ten years ago, we produced less than 1 kilogram of honey per hive. Now, we sometimes get 1.5 to 2 kilograms.鈥

The role of native bees and local flora in this equation cannot be overstated. Indigenous bee species, such as the Arabian honeybee, have shown better resilience and adaptability to the Kingdom鈥檚 varied climate.




海角直播鈥檚 honey industry is proving that sustainability, tradition, and innovation can work in harmony. (Supplied)

In contrast, imported bees often struggle to survive beyond one or two harvest cycles.

鈥淚n the middle of 海角直播, beekeepers often use imported bees,鈥 said Almughrabi. 鈥淏ut they aren鈥檛 as strong. Local bees are very good, very strong, and after the harvest we can even transport them to other regions like Jazan or Al-Lith, where the climate is warmer in winter. We don鈥檛 have to buy new bees every year.鈥

The cornerstone of 海角直播鈥檚 sustainable honey movement is its organic certification system, monitored by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. The process is rigorous and includes criteria such as pesticide-free pastures, natural nutrition without antibiotics or sugar, and complete traceability from hive to shelf.




With an organic certification system in place, 海角直播's honey industry is poised to export to the world market. (Supplied)

鈥淭o be certified organic in the Kingdom means that your honey is free from any chemical or industrial interventions at every stage,鈥 said Al-Mgaslah. 鈥淏eekeepers must meet strict environmental and documentation standards, and the certification is granted only through authorized, ministry-recognized bodies.鈥

With international demand for clean, traceable, and eco-conscious products on the rise, both experts believe 海角直播 is poised for a golden era in honey exports.

鈥淭he Kingdom holds an exceptional opportunity to become a global leader in organic honey production,鈥 said Al-Mgaslah.




Locally produced honey. (Supplied)

鈥淭hanks to its unique botanical diversity, rich heritage, and government support, Saudi honey can meet the growing global demand for authentic, natural products.鈥

Almughrabi added: 鈥淲e believe the future of Saudi honey lies in expanding exports and entering niche markets that value quality and authenticity. With continued support, we can make Saudi honey a global name.鈥

In a land long associated with arid deserts, 海角直播鈥檚 honey industry is proving that sustainability, tradition, and innovation can work in harmony. The result is more than just honey 鈥 it is a model for agricultural resilience and cultural pride.


Saudi king, crown prince extend condolences to Kuwaiti rulers over death of Sheikh Ali Abdullah Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah

Saudi king, crown prince extend condolences to Kuwaiti rulers over death of Sheikh Ali Abdullah Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah
Updated 30 August 2025

Saudi king, crown prince extend condolences to Kuwaiti rulers over death of Sheikh Ali Abdullah Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah

Saudi king, crown prince extend condolences to Kuwaiti rulers over death of Sheikh Ali Abdullah Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah

RIYADH: 海角直播鈥檚 King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday sent separate cables of condolences to the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, following the death of Sheikh Ali Abdullah Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah.

The king and crown prince expressed their deepest sympathies to the Emir and the family of the deceased, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Mohammed also sent a cable of condolences to Kuwait鈥檚 Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, offering his sympathy to the family.


Between pen and performance, a Saudi artist redraws boundaries

The pen is Ahmad Haddad鈥檚 main instrument to explore the human body, identity, and cultural boundaries. (Supplied)
The pen is Ahmad Haddad鈥檚 main instrument to explore the human body, identity, and cultural boundaries. (Supplied)
Updated 30 August 2025

Between pen and performance, a Saudi artist redraws boundaries

The pen is Ahmad Haddad鈥檚 main instrument to explore the human body, identity, and cultural boundaries. (Supplied)
  • Ahmad Haddad casts a fresh eye on tradition, masculinity, and movement

JEDDAH: For Ahmad Haddad, art is both a personal and cultural inquiry, with pen marks, traditional dress, and performance converging to question boundaries and preserve heritage through vivid experiences.

The 30-year-old Riyadh-based artist and certified arts educator grew up between Jeddah and Madinah, and works across drawing, digital collage, mixed media, and performance.

The pen is Ahmad Haddad鈥檚 main instrument to explore the human body, identity, and cultural boundaries. (Supplied)

The pen is his main instrument to explore the human body, identity, and cultural boundaries. His approach is shaped by his studies in psychology, landscape architecture, and marketing.

鈥淚 use art to make the unseen visible and to reimagine the familiar,鈥 Haddad told Arab News. 鈥淚鈥檓 driven by questions like: What happens when the invisible becomes visible? And how do symbols and boundaries shape space?鈥

HIGHLIGHTS

鈥 Ahmad Haddad has exhibited in more than 25 national and international exhibitions, including 鈥楾he Lost Other鈥 in Paris (2025) and 鈥楧elicacy of Dualities鈥 in Riyadh (2024).

鈥 He has also collaborated with Misk Art Institute, Misk Global Forum, Riyadh Art, and the Visual Arts Commission.

鈥 He founded Haddad Studio in Riyadh鈥檚 Jax District; the space has hosted more than 120 workshops and programs.

Haddad has exhibited in more than 25 national and international exhibitions, including 鈥淭he Lost Other in Paris鈥 (2025), 鈥淒elicacy of Dualities鈥 in Riyadh (2024), 鈥淪indbad: I See the Land鈥 in Jeddah (2023), and his solo show 鈥淩eflection鈥 in Jeddah (2020).

The pen is Ahmad Haddad鈥檚 main instrument to explore the human body, identity, and cultural boundaries. (Supplied)

He has also collaborated with Misk Art Institute, Misk Global Forum, Riyadh Art, and the Visual Arts Commission.

He has twice taken part in the Intermix Residency. In Diriyah last year, he developed a research-based project on the boundaries of beauty in Eastern masculinity. In Paris earlier this year, he extended that inquiry to explore how traditional clothing shapes movement and presence.

The pen is Ahmad Haddad鈥檚 main instrument to explore the human body, identity, and cultural boundaries. (Supplied)

His Paris installation, 鈥淵a Ibn 鈥楢mmi,鈥 examined solitude and individuality through traditional symbols such as the agal.

Sound design linked Saudi and French cultural elements in the work. 鈥淚t is almost unimaginable to see a traditional Bedouin man in a setting that compromises his dignity, moving with excessive fluidity or softness, or even lowering his gaze,鈥 Haddad explained. 鈥淭hese unspoken codes profoundly shape our perception of a man鈥檚 role in society.鈥

The pen is Ahmad Haddad鈥檚 main instrument to explore the human body, identity, and cultural boundaries. (Supplied)

Haddad is preparing to publish his research on traditional dress, which he believes may lead to a follow-up study on how fabric, color, and comfort influence male personality and movement.

His visual language blends anatomy, Qur鈥檃nic symbols, geometry, subconscious marks, and forms inspired by Saudi culture and Hijazi heritage.

The pen is Ahmad Haddad鈥檚 main instrument to explore the human body, identity, and cultural boundaries. (Supplied)

His creative process often begins with a blue ballpoint pen, followed by acrylics, pastels, and collage on paper, fabric, cardboard, or digital screens.

鈥淎 pen records hesitation, weakness, strength, and confidence all at once,鈥 he said. 鈥淎s children, we weren鈥檛 allowed to use one until we turned 10. Unlike a pencil, a pen offers no eraser 鈥 its marks are permanent. That permanence became part of me.鈥

鈥淚 always seek the hidden form before the visible one appears,鈥 he added.

Blue ink carries deep meaning for him: 鈥淚 see it as the color of truth 鈥 the hue of universal laws before Earth existed. It鈥檚 the color I glimpse in the symbols behind my closed eyes: a blend of divinity, mystery, mortality, and truth.鈥

In addition to his art practice, Haddad founded Haddad Studio in Riyadh鈥檚 Jax District. The space has hosted more than 120 workshops and programs in 16 Saudi cities, fostering what he calls 鈥渟ustainable creative communities.鈥

鈥淎udience engagement is key in some of my projects,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 produce yearly works based on public interaction.鈥

Currently, he is building a strategic partnership to connect Haddad Studio with Paris. 鈥淚鈥檓 very selective about my inner circle, almost meticulously so 鈥 so it鈥檚 easy for me and my friends, despite living in different cities, to share experiences, organize activities, and create workshops that benefit people and exchange knowledge.鈥

From the permanence of a pen line to the constraints of traditional dress, Haddad is a Saudi artist challenging the boundaries between form, identity, and cultural memory.

 


Literary Creativity competition honors up-and-coming Saudi talent

The competition honored outstanding performers across four literary disciplines at King Fahd Cultural Center. (SPA)
The competition honored outstanding performers across four literary disciplines at King Fahd Cultural Center. (SPA)
Updated 30 August 2025

Literary Creativity competition honors up-and-coming Saudi talent

The competition honored outstanding performers across four literary disciplines at King Fahd Cultural Center. (SPA)
  • Emerging writers were awarded SR1.2 million across poetry and prose categories

RIYADH: The winners of the second Literary Creativity competition organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission were announced at a ceremony in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The competition honored 鈥渙utstanding performers across four literary disciplines鈥 and is intended to 鈥渁dvance talent development and celebrate exceptional practitioners,鈥 the SPA said.

The competition honored outstanding performers across four literary disciplines at King Fahd Cultural Center. (SPA)

Abdullatif Al-Wasel, the commission鈥檚 CEO, presided over the event at King Fahd Cultural Center. He 鈥渞eaffirmed the commission鈥檚 commitment to cultivating university-level talent as essential for the growth of Saudi literature鈥 and described the competition as 鈥渁 vital platform for students to share perspectives, enhance literary skills, and inspire emerging creators across diverse disciplines.鈥

Al-Wasel highlighted collaborative efforts between the commission and academic institutions to support literary development, noting that the honorees 鈥渟erve as role models for future generations and strengthen Saudi literature鈥檚 cultural impact.鈥

HIGHLIGHT

Al-Wasel presented awards to the top three winners in each category, and gave away a total of SR1.2 million ($320,000) in prize money. In each category, the winner received SR150,000, with SR100,000 and SR50,000 to those in second and third place respectively.

He concluded by thanking Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, who is also chairman of the commission, for his support of the cultural sector.

The competition honored outstanding performers across four literary disciplines at King Fahd Cultural Center. (SPA)

Al-Wasel presented awards to the top three winners in each category, and gave away a total of SR1.2 million ($320,000) in prize money. In each category, the winner received SR150,000, with SR100,000 and SR50,000 to those in second and third place respectively.

In classical poetry, Ahmed Al-Turki claimed first place, followed by Luay Al-Makrami and Faisal Al-Qaisi.

In Nabati poetry, Hani Al-Otaibi was the winner, with Muteb Al-Sulami as runner-up and Abdullah Al-Harthi in third.

In the novel category, Amira Al-Subaie came first, Zainab Al-Qaisoum second, and Mahdi Al-Abdulatif third.

In the short story category, Raihana Al-Saadan took first place, followed by Fatima Al-Darwish and Rana Al-Juhani.

The Literary Creativity competition, the SPA wrote, 鈥渞eflects the commission鈥檚 mission to energize the Kingdom鈥檚 literary scene and showcase emerging talent across creative writing disciplines鈥 while 鈥渟upporting cultural heritage preservation and literature鈥檚 integration into society 鈥 reinforcing Saudi literature鈥檚 global presence and cultural influence.鈥

 


海角直播 signs MoU with Belt and Road Office of Hong Kong

海角直播 signs MoU with Belt and Road Office of Hong Kong
Updated 30 August 2025

海角直播 signs MoU with Belt and Road Office of Hong Kong

海角直播 signs MoU with Belt and Road Office of Hong Kong
  • The strategic step opens new horizons of cooperation, expands economic relations and attracts quality investments in promising sectors under Vision 2030

RIYADH: 海角直播 signed a memorandum of understanding with the Belt and Road Office under the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.

The MoU aims to enhance information exchange in infrastructure and construction, and facilitate the entry of Hong Kong professional services into the Saudi market.

The strategic step opens new horizons of cooperation, expands economic relations and attracts quality investments in promising sectors under Vision 2030.

Witnessed by Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih and Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, the agreement was signed by Hong Kong Commissioner for Belt and Road Nicholas Ho Lik-chi and Fahad Al-Hashem, assistant deputy for services sectors at the Saudi Ministry of Investment.

This week, Al-Falih led a Saudi delegation on an official visit to China. Bilateral trade exceeds $100 billion annually, making China the Kingdom鈥檚 largest trading partner.

 


鈥楥ities Under Quarantine鈥 exhibit opens at Diriyah contemporary art museum

鈥楥ities Under Quarantine鈥 exhibit opens at Diriyah contemporary art museum
Updated 31 August 2025

鈥楥ities Under Quarantine鈥 exhibit opens at Diriyah contemporary art museum

鈥楥ities Under Quarantine鈥 exhibit opens at Diriyah contemporary art museum
  • The project originated from an initiative by Abed Al-Kadiri, who distributed 57 handmade books to Arab artists worldwide, inviting them to respond creatively to the reality of lockdown

RIYADH: An exhibition called 鈥淐ities Under Quarantine: The Mailbox Project鈥 opened at the 海角直播 Museum of Contemporary Art in Diriyah on Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The show, organized by the Museums Commission, runs until Sept. 28 and showcases artists鈥 books created by Arab artists during the COVID-19 pandemic that capture the profound global isolation that reshaped life in spring 2020.

Visitors will encounter 鈥渋ntimate testimonies that merge art, writing, and personal reflections, reflecting that extraordinary moment that unsettled the world and redefined human connection,鈥 the SPA reported.

HIGHLIGHT

On Sept. 6, the museum鈥檚 atrium will hold a live performance titled 鈥淭oday, I Would Like to Be,鈥 inviting the public to participate in creating an artist鈥檚 book.

The project originated from an initiative by Abed Al-Kadiri, who distributed 57 handmade books to Arab artists worldwide, inviting them to respond creatively to the reality of lockdown.

鈥淭he responses became deeply personal works that reimagined places, desires, and silences, transforming solitude into a space for reflection,鈥 the SPA added.

海角直播 is the exhibition鈥檚 third stop, following Villa Romana in Florence and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha.

The exhibition 鈥渆xplores life in suspension during the pandemic, where confinement reshaped human bonds and became a space for reflection and self-discovery,鈥 the SPA stated.

As part of the program, the exhibition hosted two discussions on Saturday: 鈥淭he Visual Traces of the Self: Between the Hands and the Eyes鈥 and 鈥淧rintmaking and the Artist鈥檚 Book.鈥

On Sept. 6, the museum鈥檚 atrium will hold a live performance titled 鈥淭oday, I Would Like to Be,鈥 inviting the public to participate in creating an artist鈥檚 book.