Maysan village thrives thanks to apiaries producing highly sought-after Sidr honey

MAYSAN — In the northern village of Umm Mashaah, located in Qalaat Saleh, Maysan governorate, beekeeping thrives as a key livelihood, with 15 apiaries housing between 50 and 60 beehives. Twice a year, during spring and autumn, the village produces natural honey, including the prized Sidr honey, known for its rich dark color and high value, fetching up to 100,000 Iraqi dinars (approximately $66.44) per kilogram.

“I learned beekeeping from previous generations and currently own six hives,” said Mustafa Star, a seasoned beekeeper, speaking to 964media. “We harvest honey twice a year—once in June, known as spring honey, which has a yellowish-reddish tint, and again in November, known as Sidr honey, which is darker in color.”

During months where flowers are scarce, such as December and January, beekeepers sustain their colonies with supplemental feeding, using candy paste or sugar syrup. “Bees can fly up to four kilometers in various directions to collect nectar,” Mustafa explained.

The queen bee plays a vital role in egg production, with worker bees living for 40 to 45 days, while queens can live up to four years. When a queen dies, beekeepers replace her with a new one to ensure colony stability.

“Each hive contains only one queen bee. If a second queen emerges, the hive splits, and the younger queen leaves with a swarm. We then place them in a new box to form another hive,” Mustafa detailed.

Using a smoker to calm the bees during honey collection is standard practice, preventing aggressive behavior and ensuring safety. The ideal environment for beekeeping, according to Mustafa, is rural areas with abundant flowering plants.

Beekeeping, while rewarding, is not without its challenges. “This profession requires patience and a deep understanding of these incredible creatures. A strong hive can hold up to 4,000 bees, while weaker ones might only support around 2,000.”