Honey and Silk Festival activities kick off in Damascus

With the participation of more than 41 beekeepers from different governorates, the activities of the second Honey and Silk Days Festival, held by Damascus Chamber of Agriculture in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, began on Wednesday in the Hall of the Cross Church in Al-Qasa’a in Damascus.

A number of beekeepers, exporters, agricultural and veterinary companies, banks, packaging, shipping and export companies from the public and private sectors are participating in the festival.

The 5-day festival displays bee products and the production requirements of wooden beehives, as well as the medical and food industries that contain honey.

Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform Dr. Rami Al-Ali stated in a statement to reporters that the festival is an opportunity  for direct communication between the consumer and the producer, for shedding light on apiary products spread in the governorates and the health and nutritional benefits and medical uses of these products and for enhancing confidence in the local product.

In a statement to SANA, head of the Beekeepers’ Committee at Damascus Chamber of Agriculture Basem Al-Attar noted that the festival is an economic demonstration to support beekeepers to market their products, deliver them directly to consumers, introduce them and sell them at competitive prices, thus increasing sales and improving the production process. He pointed out that the nectar crops on which the bees feed are currently being expanded which will in turn increase production.

President of the Federation of Chambers of Agriculture Muhammad Kishtu indicated that the festival is being held for the second year in a row after the first festival was a success, considering the festival a space to display the requirements for honey production on the one hand, and the industrial forms of food, cosmetic and medical honey products on the other.

A number of participating beekeepers indicated that the festival constitutes a successful link to connect producers with consumers directly and to be briefed on the types of natural honey, in addition to supporting small and medium enterprises working in this field and related professions.

It is noteworthy that the days of the festival are accompanied by scientific lectures related to beekeeping and silkworms, presented by academics from the University of Damascus, in addition to recreational activities and competitions for visitors.

Inas Abdulkareem