Manahil Al Maghrib

Our Story

Our parents used to be traditional beekeepers, so we have learnt and taken up the torch from them.

Traditionally, our ancestors used to forbid the harvest of honey at the end of July of each year and they call it the “Antra Phase.” Science has explained that this practice is implemented because the queen bee reduces her rate of laying eggs. Following this traditional method makes it possible to avoid a lay break for months during the high season.

PRESIDENT

AL HABIB

Even though we modernised honey production, we still keep and honour beekeeping traditions. When a member of the community wants to start beekeeping or is not fortunate to keep their bees alive, we provide them with healthy and productive bee colonies so they can start or restart their businesses. When we harvest honey, it is a must to share some of it with our neighbours.

We have fifteen beekeeper adherents and twenty-three partner beekeepers. In the beginning, we only produced three local types of honey, including Euphorbia, Carob and Multi-Floral Honey. Now we have expanded to produce Eucalyptus, Thyme and Orange Honey. We move the beehives to different regions where these plants are widespread in order to produce new varieties. We also produce Amlou from local almonds and honey, and it is simply delicious.

Thanks to extensive training workshops provided by the local prefecture, we have learnt more about modern beekeeping. The cooperative came into existence in 2016 when we decided to be more organised and move the bees from traditional beehives into more advanced ones.