Egypt’s Agriculture Ministry Launches Training Program to Combat Honeybee Pests and Diseases

Agricultural Pesticides Committee.

The Agricultural Pesticides Committee of Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation has launched a specialized training program aimed at supporting the honeybee sector, enhancing the skills of technical staff working in Egyptian beekeeping, and increasing its global competitiveness. This initiative is conducted under the auspices of Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Mr. Alaa Farouk.

Dr. Hala Abu Youssef, Chairperson of the Agricultural Pesticides Committee, stated that the two-day training program was titled “Combating Diseases and Pests Affecting Honeybee Colonies and Optimal Use of Pesticides to Minimize Risks.” The program targeted the qualification and transfer of expertise to a select group of professionals in honeybee breeding from research centers, universities, as well as beekeepers and specialized companies. This effort aims to enhance their efficiency and advance this profession both technically and economically.

Abu Youssef emphasized that the focus on this sector stems from the pivotal role honeybees and their products play in supporting the national economy and boosting the competitiveness of agricultural exports. Egypt ranks first globally in live honeybee exports, accounting for over 25% of total global exports.

Furthermore, she highlighted that Egyptian honey exports have shown significant growth according to official indicators, with total honey export value reaching approximately 148.055 million Egyptian pounds in 2023, compared to around 145.997 million pounds in 2022, marking an increase of approximately 2.05 million pounds.

The exports consist of both natural honey and honey designated for medicinal uses. The indicators have also noted considerable progress encouraging investment in both local and foreign beehive production across the country, reflecting an attractive investment environment for this promising sector.