FAO/Abdulrahman Al Kor

The quality and quantity of agricultural production relies on major factors to achieve healthy crops and fresh products, thanks to the help of bees and pollinators that are essential for crops growth, as well as food security and ecosystems restoration.

The farmers and people in Syria, and worldwide, realize the importance of bees and other pollinators, as well as the value of bees’ products for health diets and medical uses. These facts give the beekeeping profession a high interest towards development and improvements in the country, despite the long list of challenges.

It is a fact that beekeepers in Syria have a long experience in producing quality honey that is vital for their diets and income. However, the 14-year crisis across the country has caused dire destruction of beehives and tools that were fundamental assets for beekeepers. Particularly in Daraa governorate is among many examples of damage in Syria, about 1 200 beepers lost more than 25 000 beehives due to the armed conflict, forcing them to abandon beekeeping, despite their passion, to seek for other livelihood alternatives.

In such crisis context, where the focus is on short immediate support, there is a vital need to support vulnerable people working in production sectors that, if damaged, could cause longer devastating impact, such as on bees, for both food security and environment protection.

Jawdat Al Samouri, a student at the faculty of Chemistry at Damascus University, is one of the affected beekeepers in Daraa. He inherited beekeeping skills and knowledge from his family and decided to restore the profession while keeping an eye on beekeeping improvements and opportunities in the market.

Realizing opportunities in the market

“FAO Nabta programme was insightful for me,” expresses Jawdat “the programme has widened my vision to produce bees’ products that benefits people, and increases my profits as well,” he adds.

Jawdat joined FAO’s Nabta programme, implemented under the United Nations Joint Programme with the support of EU, Norway, and Italy to learn about business ideation, project proposal and project development and market analysis to enable his capabilities in offering unique and competitive products to the surrounding market.

“An entrepreneur pursuits opportunities to introduce innovative products to the market. This is what differentiates an entrepreneur from a business owner. I consider this comparison as my moto to operate my project aiming at success. Today, I produce bee venom and electronic devices that would help beekeepers to extract pollen and venom,” said Jawdat.

FAO involves youth towards innovative beekeeping            

FAO believes in youth as key drivers to save bees and other pollinators, as well as to contribute to the beekeeping industry as an accessible income opportunity that requires minimal start-up costs and using locally available materials.

“When FAO Nabta granted my project, I was able to equip it by purchasing electronical items and wood for start-up. My idea consisted of honey production, pollen pills and royal jelly  production as consumable supplements, producing and selling queens in addition to producing bee venom for medical use, and, on the other hand, manufacturing devices that would help beekeepers extract bee venom and pollen,” explained Jawdat.

“Bee venom is rarely produced in Syria! This was my entry point to contact universities and research centers to promote this valuable and important element. I also promote other products using an e-market application to communicate with potential costumers abroad, and provide them with detailed description of the product.” He adds.

Promoting world bee day!

FAO celebrates this year World Bee Day by raising awareness on the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy, and on the many challenges they face today.

Today bees, pollinators, and many other insects are declining in abundance. This day provides an opportunity for all of us – whether we work for governments, organizations or civil society or are concerned citizens – to promote actions that will protect and enhance pollinators and their habitats, improve their abundance and diversity, and support the sustainable development of beekeeping.