Brief Overview of the Jordanian Beekeepers Union
The Jordanian Beekeepers Union is considered one of the leading national professional institutions established in 2009 under a Royal Decree. It operates under the umbrella of the General Farmers Union and serves as the unified and organizing body for the beekeeping sector in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Since its establishment, the Union has played a pivotal role in unifying the efforts of beekeepers, developing professional practices, and strengthening the position of this vital sector, which intersects with food security, rural development, and the protection of biodiversity and the environment.
Today, the Union represents the official umbrella for beekeepers, researchers, and professionals working in this sector. It is managed by an elected board chosen by the General Assembly every four years, ensuring institutional continuity and sound governance.
Vision
Towards a leading, sustainable, and influential Jordanian beekeeping sector that serves as a regional model for the integration of agricultural production, environmental protection, and economic development.
Mission
To empower Jordanian beekeepers and scientifically and professionally develop the beekeeping sector through effective institutional representation, capacity building, community awareness, and the establishment of national and international partnerships that contribute to environmental protection and support the national product.
Institutional Values
Commitment to modern professional and scientific standards.
Protecting the environment and biodiversity is central to all programs.
Defending beekeepers’ rights and serving their collective interests.
Cooperation with official, civil, and international institutions.
Investing in extension services, research, and continuous development.
Strategic Objectives
- Unify and organize the efforts of Jordanian beekeepers within a strong institutional framework.
- Represent the sector and advocate for its issues in legislative and official frameworks.
- Develop the technical and scientific capacities of beekeepers according to best practices.
- Raise awareness of the role of honey bees in sustaining environmental and agricultural systems.
- Support and protect the national product and strengthen consumer confidence.
- Enhance Jordan’s presence in specialized Arab and international forums.
Union Administrative Board
The General Assembly of the Union comprises a group of Jordanian beekeepers and researchers specializing in the beekeeping sector. An Administrative Board is elected every four years.
Board Members 2023–2027
| # | Name | Title | الاسم | المسمى الوظيفي |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eng. Moath Subhi Kutham | President | المهندس معاذ صبحي كظم | رئيس الاتحاد |
| 2 | Mr. Mekhled Shama’in | Vice President | السيد مخلد الشماعين | نائب رئيس الاتحاد |
| 3 | Eng. Ahmad Abudrie | Secretary of Board | المهندس أحمد ابودريع | امين سر الهيئة الادارية |
| 4 | Mr. Ahmad Wajih Daour | Treasurer of Union | السيد احمد وجيه داعور | امين صندوق |
| 5 | Mr. Mahmoud Arabyat | Member of Board Member Board of Jordanian Farmers Union |
السيد محمود عربيات | عضو هيئة إدارية عضو مجلس إدارة الاتحاد العام للمزارعين |
| 6 | Mr. Mohammad Obeidat | Member of Board | السيد محمد عبيدات | عضو هيئة إدارية |
| 7 | Dr. Ahmad Al-Momani | Member of Board | الدكتور احمد المومني | عضو هيئة إدارية |
Fields of Work and Institutional Achievements
1. Community Awareness and Environmental Culture Building
The Union has worked to establish broad community awareness about the importance of honey bees and their products, and their vital role in environmental balance. This has been achieved through participation in national festivals, cooperation with media outlets, production of specialized awareness content, and targeting schools, universities, and people with disabilities through simplified and impactful educational programs.
2. Guidance and Professional Qualification for Beekeepers
The Union places special emphasis on improving producers’ efficiency through:
- Issuing specialized technical publications.
- Organizing workshops and applied scientific days.
- Implementing advanced training programs that improve production quality and sustainability.
3. Environmental Protection and Support of Vegetation Cover
Based on its belief in the role of bees in preserving biodiversity, the Union has led qualitative environmental initiatives, including afforestation projects, planting nectar-rich trees, cooperation with official and local institutions, and engaging local communities and school students in environmental activities with long-term impact.
Among the most notable initiatives is the campaign “We Plant Trees… We Harvest Honey” , which formed an integrated model between agricultural production and environmental protection.
4. Technical and In-Kind Support for Beekeepers
The Union has provided multiple forms of direct support to beekeepers, including supplying essential materials, guidance in bee health management, and integrated pest management, ensuring colony safety and improving product quality.
5. Official and Institutional Representation
The Union is considered the official reference body for the beekeeping sector in Jordan. It plays an active role in continuous communication with ministries, official institutions, professional associations, and agricultural unions, while holding regular meetings and organizing national events that serve the sector’s interests.
6. Regional and International Presence
The Union enjoys active membership and representation in several international and regional organizations concerned with the environment and beekeeping, including:
- APIMONDIA – International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations.
- FED.API.MED – Mediterranean Beekeeping Federation.
- IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature.
- Arab Beekeepers Union, representing Jordan.
The Union has also implemented several projects with local and international institutions, including:
- MedBees – Middle East Bees Organization.
- PRIMA.
- USAID.
- GIZ.
- German Cooperation.
The Union participates in conferences and joint programs, conveying the Jordanian experience and contributing to the exchange of knowledge and expertise.
7. Specialized and Innovative Initiatives
The First Jordanian Honey Festival 2025
Under the generous patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Agriculture, Eng. Khaled Al-Hanifat, the activities of the First Jordanian Honey Festival 2025 were organized from July 3–5, 2025, in Amman – Al Hussein Public Parks, as a specialized national event dedicated to the beekeeping sector and its products.
The festival witnessed remarkable attendance and public interaction, receiving more than 10,000 visitors from different segments of society, with broad participation that included:
- Approximately 35 Jordanian beekeepers.
- 30 women empowerment and rural development projects.
- 10 associations and organizations related to the agricultural and environmental sectors.
The festival achieved a direct economic impact, with sales exceeding 60,000 Jordanian Dinars , reflecting consumer confidence in the national product and the growing role of Jordanian honey in the local market.
Bee and Ecosystem Award
An initiative aimed at honoring initiatives, individuals, and institutions supporting environmental sustainability and biodiversity protection.
International Partnership Prospects
The Jordanian Beekeepers Union seeks to build strategic partnerships with international donor and sponsoring institutions in the following fields:
- Sustainable rural development.
- Protection of biodiversity and ecosystems.
- Support for agricultural value chains.
- Capacity building and knowledge transfer.
The Union places its institutional expertise and extensive national network at the service of any partnership that achieves sustainable and measurable developmental impact.
