She also educates others in the community on a regular basis and advocates for environmental sustainability. A 10-year-old Emirati girl from Ras Al Khaimah first became interested in honeybees during the Covid-19 pandemic. Mahra Hamad Al Naqbi began training with the UAE Beekeepers Association, which included lessons that were delivered via video conference. The young girl’s first pastime has evolved into a full-time passion for her. She is now 12 years old and runs 20 beehives that produce Sidr, Mangrove, and Samr honey, among other varieties.
Mahra’s beekeeping process includes feeding the bees, caring for them when there is a lack of nectar, expanding the hives, and harvesting honey. “I was successful in acquiring fundamental beekeeping skills.
Mahra stated, “I started with two hives as the foundation of my project after earning my certification, and it quickly grew to 20.” She recalled the first time she presented the concept to her family. “Despite their initial hesitation and concerns, my persistence and enthusiasm eventually convinced them to agree.” She gained responsibility, observation skills, and patience by taking care of the bees. “Every week, I check the hives to make sure the honey and the queen are there. I also make sure the hives don’t have any diseases. She was also able to dispel common myths about honey and bees, such as the notion that “crystallized honey is not pure.” Mahra received an invitation to participate in Saudi Arabia’s 16th International Honey Festival two weeks ago. She was the youngest participant. She also educates others in the community on a regular basis and advocates for environmental sustainability.
According to the young Emirati, “I give educational workshops on beekeeping to people from my generation, where I introduce beekeeping tools and show them how to start and raise bees.” “Because bees pollinate over 70% of plants, which contributes to the growth of vegetation, I believe that bees are crucial to improving environmental sustainability. “Mahra added that the United Arab Emirates places a significant emphasis on honey and organizes competitions to encourage its production. Beekeeping is also a part of Emirati culture.” Goals for the future Beekeeping is more than just a pastime for Mahra; it’s a goal for the future. With her 20 beehives, she is already working toward her dream of becoming a bee scientist. She envisions a farm with a variety of flowers and trees to provide the bees with food. She also wants to open a shop that will only sell honey, candles, and creams from bees. Mahra told Khaleej Times, reflecting on her beekeeping journey, “I encourage anyone with a passion or hobby to pursue it seriously.” She also emphasized “it’s important to stay organized and balance different interests with school” at the same time. The 12-year-old was also proud to be a part of a community that cares about bees and pledged to share this passion with others.
