The Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture announced the start of relocating beehives from dangerous areas in the south to safer regions, as part of a plan aimed at protecting the beekeeping sector and ensuring the continuity of agricultural production.
The operation is scheduled to begin tomorrow in the Zahrani area, accompanied by the Lebanese Army at 2:00 PM, and will include the Zrarieh and Babbliyah beehives as part of the first phase of the plan.
The ministry emphasized that this initiative is designed to protect agricultural resources and support farmers’ resilience amid current challenges, highlighting that it reflects a high level of coordination and cooperation between the civilian and military sectors to ensure sustainable agricultural production.
According to the information, the plan targets relocating beehives from southern areas affected by the war to safer locations, particularly in the Bekaa Valley, to protect livestock and provide relief to beekeepers directly impacted by Israeli attacks.
This step comes as World Bank estimates revealed the complete destruction of approximately 5,000 beehives in Lebanon between October 8, 2023, and December 20, 2024, with damages valued at around $800,000.
Lebanon’s beekeeping sector includes about 8,000 beekeepers who own more than 417,000 hives, producing roughly 1,500 tons of honey annually under normal conditions. This production heavily depends on the availability of natural pastures, stable climate conditions, and regular rainfall.
