Melattoor: The State Agriculture Department has honoured a young farmer for his outstanding work in beekeeping. Umarali Shihab (37), of Thengumthody House at Pathirikkodu in Edappatta, has been recognised as the best beekeeper in Kerala.

Shihab markets his honey under the brand name Al Sabah. In addition to packing honey for various brands, he also sells it online. A certified beekeeper through the Khadi and Village Industries Board, Shihab has won awards for the best stall at expos organised by the Industries Department in Malappuram (2024) and by the State Government in Ponnani (2023).

For this MBA graduate, beekeeping is both a passion and a livelihood. He began keeping bees on a small scale during his school days and, after college, started learning modern farming techniques in earnest. Most of his beehives are located in the high ranges of Nilambur and Karuvaarakkundu.