The 9th edition of the Bee and Honey Festival in Bejaia, Algeria, commenced at the Taos Amrouche Cultural Center. More than 50 professional beekeepers from the region are participating in the event to present their honey and other hive products. The festival is organized by the Bejaia Wilaya Beekeepers Association in collaboration with the Wilaya Agricultural Services, the Agricultural Chamber, and Abderrahmane Mira University.
The festival will feature a series of four conferences on apiculture-related topics. The first conference, "The Importance of Cooperatives and Apiculture Project Management," was presented by Badjar Victor Antoine Noël, co-founder and treasurer of the French association "Par amour des abeilles." The conferences aim to promote knowledge sharing and best practices in beekeeping.
According to a 2018 survey by the Direction des Services Agricoles (DSA), Bejaia Wilaya has 2,755 beekeepers, but less than half are affiliated with the Agricultural Chamber. The apiculture sector needs to improve its organization through cooperatives. The events and conferences at the festival aim to address these challenges.
The festival also features conferences by prominent experts. Professor Madani Khodir, director of the Agro-Food Technology Research Center at Bejaia University, will discuss "Water and the Soummam." Dr. Sad-Eddine Zemmouche Ouardia will talk about "Varroa, its impacts, and control methods." Dr. Ouchmoukh Salim will present on "Biological Properties of Algerian Honeys."
One of the festival's objectives is to promote the various types of honey produced in Bejaia Wilaya. The region is known for its spring and fruit honey, but other varieties like eucalyptus, thyme, rosemary, and jujube honey are less well-known. The festival provides a platform for beekeepers to showcase their products and raise awareness about the local honey.
As part of its strategy to develop and promote apiculture in the region, the Agricultural Chamber proposed a project to acquire 3,500 beehives, which will be distributed to widowed women. This initiative aims to support women in the region and promote beekeeping.
The Bee and Honey Festival in Bejaia provides a valuable opportunity for beekeepers, experts, and enthusiasts to come together and share knowledge, best practices, and experiences. The event highlights the importance of apiculture in the region and the need for organization and cooperation to promote the sector.
Key points
- The 9th edition of the Bee and Honey Festival in Bejaia features over 50 professional beekeepers showcasing their honey and hive products.
- The festival includes a series of conferences on apiculture-related topics, including cooperative management and varroa control methods.
- The event aims to promote the various types of honey produced in Bejaia Wilaya and support local beekeepers, particularly women.
