Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is buzzing with life. It hosts more than 40,000 beehives across 400 sites, managed by 140 beekeepers.
This vast 91,500 square kilometer reserve is becoming a key area for high-quality honey production, especially Talh and Sidr honey, known for their unique flavors and resistance to crystallization.
Beekeeper Mufleh Al-Jabreen highlighted the crucial role of bees in the ecosystem, saying “Bees are crucial for pollinating flowers, boosting tree productivity, and enhancing seed quality.”
Their pollination efforts can increase tree productivity and seed quality by up to 70 percent. The peak honey season runs from April to October.
The reserve is a sanctuary for plant life, home to over 180 recorded species, making up 7.5 percent of the Kingdom’s total plant diversity. Among them are acacia, jujube, arta (Calligonum comosum), ghada (Haloxylon persicum), arfaj (Rhanterium epapposum), aather (Artemisia monosperma), and ramath (Haloxylon) trees.
The beekeepers expressed their appreciation to the reserve authorities for the vital support provided, including the issuance of permits, guidelines for hive placement, and the allocation of suitable sites.
(This news was sourced from the Saudi Press Agency – SPA)