Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
The third edition of Global Food Week (GFW) is bringing together governments, food producers, manufacturers, retailers, innovators and investors from across the global food value chain, highlighting the UAE’s growing role in food production, agricultural innovation and sustainable food systems.
Among the local initiatives showcased at the event is the Abu Dhabi Honey Programme, which is supporting the development of beekeeping and honey production in the emirate.
According to Mansoor Al Saeedi, Leader Researcher at the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), the programme consists of 17 initiatives that support beekeepers, enhance honey production and give access to bee colonies and appropriate locations.
He said that the UAE honeybee production initiative, pointing out that the programme has now reached its eleventh generation following the introduction of an artificial selection process approximately eleven years ago in order to help develop bees that are adapted to the environment of the UAE.
Al Saeedi added that the plants from which bees gather nectar can be used to determine the provenance and authenticity of UAE honey. While pollen from plants not found in the UAE may suggest that the honey was produced elsewhere, the presence of local plants in the honey can help confirm its local origin.
Additionally, the event gives Emirati beekeepers a stage on which to display regional varieties.
Manahel Leewa Bees Breeding's owner, Ali Alhammadi, stated that this is his second time attending Global Food Week. He will be showcasing a number of natural UAE honey varieties, such as Sidr, mangrove and Ashkhar honey.
He pointed out that although it is still difficult to produce some varieties, especially Ashkhar and Hanzal honey, UAE beekeepers' efforts have made it possible.
Alhammadi stated: "UAE honey is now competing with international honey and has won awards in Paris and London."
