The International Honey Forum began functioning here Thursday coinciding with the 12th International Honey Festival currently being held in Baha Region. Experts from Saudi Arabia and a number of Arab countries including Morocco, Egypt, Sudan, Yemen, Tunisia, and Lebanon are participating in the event in addition to experts from USA, Bulgaria, Australia, India and Ethiopia. The forum focuses on the medical and nutrition use of honey. It also examines the quality of pure honey against adulterated, said Prof. Ahmed Alkhazim AlGhamdi, vice president of the International Federation of Beekeeping Associations (APIMONDIA) for Middle East and the Arab World, and the chairman of Beekeeper Association, Baha. It provides updates on new skills for beekeeping, queen rearing for optimum benefits from apiculture, AlGhamdi said, adding, many public and private sectors entities are taking part in this event. The Ministry of Environment Water and Agriculture presented its efforts in developing Beekeeping industry in the Kingdom and its current focus on improving bee breeding. Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) highlighted its legislative and supervision role in the industry, he said. The Agricultural Development Fund (ADF) held a workshop on granting loans to beekeepers and the mechanism and procedures needed for ADF financial services, he added. Cooperative Societies Council as well as academicians from Baha and King Saud Universities in addition to Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) share their thoughts and researches in the field. — SPA
