Abu dhabi: The Al Wathba Honey Festival, a key event organized by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), is set to launch tomorrow as part of the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award. The Festival will be held at the Sheikh Zayed Festival in the Al Wathba area of Abu Dhabi, running from December 5th to 14th.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Festival will feature the participation of 42 local producers who will display and market a variety of products, including honey, pollen, and propolis, to visitors from different nationalities. The event aims to enhance production standards in the beekeeping sector and develop the skills of local beekeepers and honey producers. This year's edition will also see the first-time participation of the Beekeepers Association in the UAE, highlighting the country's role as the host for the 50th International Apicultural Congress, Apimondia, in Dubai in 2027.
The Festival will include eight competitions with a total prize pool of AED622,000. Various categories, such as Best Beeswax, Best Pollen Product, and Best Honeycomb, will attract participation from 249 entrants. A specialized committee, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council and ADAFSA, will evaluate the products through rigorous laboratory tests to ensure compliance with national standards.
Eng. Mansour Al Saeedi, Chairman of the Al Wathba Honey Festival, emphasized the Festival's importance as a national platform supporting the beekeeping and honey sector in the UAE. He noted the significant growth in participants and products, attributing it to the doubling of prize money and the introduction of new competitions. He also emphasized that the Festival reinforces consumer confidence in local honey through stringent inspection standards.
Eng. Al Saeedi encouraged beekeepers to register for the main award category, underscoring the opportunity to highlight their efforts and enhance the competitiveness of local honey production. He reiterated ADAFSA's support for local producers in accessing markets and contributing to the agricultural and food sector in the UAE.
The Festival will also offer educational and entertainment activities for children, focusing on the stages of honey production and the UAE's efforts to improve agricultural product quality.