Sweet News

At Shiloh, we've had beehives for honey production for at least two decades as have other communities.

But, it's always good to know you're being copied.

From

Israel looks to West Bank beekeepers to meet honey demands

The hive in Eli is just one of about 200 that have been constructed in West Bank settlements since January. Now that the harvest season has begun, the honey will soon be collected and marketed throughout the country.

However the goal of the project, which is being carried out in conjunction with Tel Aviv University and the University Center in Ariel, is not just to enable the beekeepers to make money. It is primarily intended to examine the West Bank's suitability for the cultivation of bees.

This project was prompted by the fact that Israel's consumption of honey has risen steadily in recent years, and local production can no longer keep up with demand. Therefore, some 500 tons of honey a year are being imported, at an annual cost of about $2 million.

...It is very easy to plant it with vegetation that consumes little water while making the land suitable for bee cultivation, explains Dr. Miriam Billig of the Ariel-based R&D Center - Samaria and Jordan Rift, which is also involved in the project.

The current study is examining the most suitable vegetation to plant as well as the quality and quantity of the resultant honey. Among others, both rosemary and eucalyptus were found to produce good results. Moreover, both grow year-round and consume very little water, making them ideal for bee cultivation.

For Ben Sa'adon, who maintains hives in both Eli and Har Bracha, it has been a learning experience....he is content. "We live on a wonderful bit of land, where our forefathers grew grapes, made wine and also produced honey. We try to love the land, and the land loves us back."