DA-CAR beekeeping training makes a buzz

BAGUIO CITY  – The Department of Agriculture (DA)-CAR through the Livestock Sector conducted a basic and advance training course on beekeeping on July 18-20 at the H100 Ecolodge Hotel & Resto.

The training was a combination of lectures and actual demo. A visit to an apiary was also done for the participants to get close with the bees and have a first-hand experience at the practice of apiculture.

Beekeeping experts and volunteers from several institutions were invited to speak at the three-day activity. Edmund Benavidez, Saint Louis University-Extension Institute for Small Scale Industries Foundation Inc. (SLU-EISSIF) Director, and Patricio Ananayo, retired Senior Agriculturist, introduced what beekeeping is and gave in-depth discussions on the basics. According to Benavidez, one of the many wonders of apiculture is honey. “Honey never spoils and will last for years,” he said. “This is possible if the moisture content is kept at a minimum 18% and below.”

Allan John Panagan of the Livestock sector then tackled strengthening colonies and the problems encountered, such as pest and diseases. Together with him were Jimar Lawa, Gregorio Colas, Jr., and Nathaniel Acop, all volunteer bee keepers, and they talked on harvesting and the beekeeping calendar.

“Maintaining strong and healthy colonies is the still the best,” advised Panagan to the participants.

With regards to the queries regarding quarantine and transportation of bees, Dr. Jordan Bayudang, a veterinarian from the Bureau of Animal Industry, stated that a Veterinary Health Certificate must first be presented before a Shipping Permit is issued.

Other topics on equipment and materials on beekeeping, basic carpentry, queen catching, marking and transporting of queen bees were shared by Paquito Untalan, Director of the Cordillera Research and Apiculture Center of the Benguet State University.

Further, representatives from the National Apiculture Research, Training, and Development Institute (NARTDI), Dr. Arvin Sobrepena, Apiculture Veterinarian, and George Bondot, Apiary manager, discussed the advance topics of queen rearing and honeybee products and by-products.

Dr. Anthony Bantog, DA-CAR Livestock Sector Chief, hopes that the training will encourage stakeholders to patronize beekeeping in the highlands. “The livestock program supports this endeavor and we hope that Cordillera will be a honey producing area,” he added.

By Ayra Galanza