The honey production craft in Ain Halaqim in Hama… an inherited profession distinguished by quantity and quality

Hama (ST) – The town of Ain Halaqim, located in the western countryside of Hama Governorate, is famous for beekeeping and honey production on a large scale. This craft is a basic source of livelihood for the people, in addition to the distinctive quality and flavour of the honey it produces, and the wide demand it enjoys in the markets.

The head of the agricultural guidance unit in Ain Halaqim, Eng. Evonne Qarout, stated that the number of beehives raised in the town exceeds 20,000, and the number of beekeepers is estimated at more than 200, while the production of one hive ranges between 8 and 20 kilograms during one season.

Qarout pointed out that the history of beekeeping in the village dates back to the last century, when it was in small numbers and relied on old hives.

“In the nineties, the use of wooden hives began, and then beekeeping developed to witness a qualitative shift in 2000, as about 70 percent of the town’s people work in this field”, she added.

Dr. Anas Morani, one of the beekeepers in the village, spoke about the availability of the elements of beekeeping in the town as the vast pastures and dense vegetation cover most of its parts.

Morani called for supporting beekeepers in terms of securing fuel for transport vehicles, securing medicines for bees from reliable sources, establishing a center for manufacturing hive supplies and receiving honey, and setting a price by the Ministry of Agriculture to prevent traders from exploiting beekeepers.

It is noteworthy that the town of Ain Halaqim enjoys a charming nature and is rich with springs as it is located at a crossroads between three governorates; Hama, Homs and Tartous.

Nalja Khoury