RIYADH: Beekeepers in the southern Najran region of º£½ÇÖ±²¥ have harvested nearly 20,000 kilograms of the highly sought-after Sidr honey.
The honey can fetch hundreds of riyals per kilogram in the stores and markets of the Kingdom’s major cities.
It is prized for its health benefits which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties — with some studies even suggesting it has cancer-fighting potential.
The honey is harvested from bees that collect nectar from various plants native to the Najran region, primarily the Sidr tree but also the umbrella thorn acacia and Vachellia flava.
Year-round, the region typically produces around 90 tons of the sugary substance.
Beekeeper Naji bin Mana Al-Sahili explained to the SPA that the local beekeepers are preparing to move their hives to warmer areas during the winter months after finishing the current harvest.
Al-Sahili added that the beekeepers are recognized around the world for the excellence of their product, having won various international awards.
While Sidr is perhaps the best-known variety of honey produced in º£½ÇÖ±²¥, the Kingdom’s varied vegetation allows for the production of around 20 different types including Talh and Samar.
º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, through the Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, operates a rural development incubator to support entrepreneurs in beekeeping and honey production, enhancing their skills in strategic planning, business management, marketing and finance.
Other support programs include training programs offered by the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority.
