New Data on the Production of Natural Honey in Morocco: Practices of Beekeepers, Melliferous Plants, and Production Features

Despite the importance of honey production in food, medicine, and the economy of Morocco, the data on practices, productivity, and melliferous plants are rare and fragmentary. Therefore, this study evaluated the age, gender, and practices of beekeepers from Fez-Meknes, Daraa-Tafilalet, Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima. Honey production addressed the used plants, quality, quantity, and limiting factors. Data was collected via questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive and multivariate statistics. In total, 100 beekeepers were included, with a dominance of men (90%) aged between 25 and 50 years. 60% of beekeepers used modern hives. Apis mellifera intermissa was the most common (65%). Most participants (74%) practice transhumance, and 45% of beekeepers are transhumant. In total, 10 melliferous plants were recorded, and the most popular were jujube (14%), carob (13%), and eucalyptus (12%). These plants flower in spring, summer, and autumn. Varroa presented the largest menace to bee health (44%), followed by hornets (16%), nosema (15%), moths (14%), and loque (12%). To protect their beehives, participants use different treatments, including fumigation with local medicinal plants (37%), followed by thymol (21%). This study revealed new data on the beekeepers, production, and practices in different areas of Morocco and is suggested to serve as a reference for future studies and for conservation efforts, mainly for bee and plant species.