Umanika Eco-Cultural Farm, MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON---Thirty young farmer leaders across the region recently engaged in a specialized training program on Stingless Beekeeping and Processing in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. This initiative is designed to enhance the participants' knowledge and expertise in stingless bee production, management, and the creation of other byproducts.
The event convened training participants hailing from Cagayan de Oro City, Magsaysay and Manticao in Misamis Oriental, as well as Malaybalay City in Bukidnon. This training program was made possible through a collaboration of the center with the Private Agriculture and Fisheries-Extension Service Provider (PAF-ESP) and GreenMinds Incorporated.
Mr. Reynaldo Gil G. Lomarda, also known as "Datu Makadingding," serves as the CEO of GreenMinds Incorporated and is the owner of the Umanika Eco-Cultural Farm where the training took place.
During the training proper, participants were engaged with resource speakers Cristine A. Galupo, Reynaldo Gil G. Lomarda, and Malaya F. Valle through a series of lectures, discussions, sharing, and demonstrations.
As a briefer, the participants were presented with the ATI’s youth programs, and later on lectured on the significance of beekeeping in agriculture. Part of their training was the identification of pests and causes of stingless bee diseases, discussed pollination and food collection by stingless bees, learned about stingless bee management basics, observed harvesting techniques for stingless bee products like honey, pollen, and propolis, and gained insights into creating various economical bee-derived products such as propolis tincture, beeswax candles, honey chili sauce, honey vinegar, pineapple jam with honey, honey lip balm, honey lollipops, and honey soap.
Datu Makadingding conducted a practical demonstration on transferring feral stingless bees into TPH1 boxes, which is essential in beekeeping. TPH1 boxes, designed by experts from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB), provide compartments to prevent swarming and enhance bee colony productivity. The session included hands-on activities like pollen harvesting, honey tasting, and preparing propolis tincture, enriching the participants' beekeeping skills and knowledge.
“They are taking risks every day, and they are getting out of their comfort zones to lead more meaningful and productive lives”, said Datu Makadingding, when asked how he handled a crowd of young people, customary to handling his regular age group of farmers as training participants.
Meanwhile, Ms. Malaya F. Valle of Aval's Apiary Products and Services showcased the various byproducts that can be obtained from a bee colony. During a hands-on session, she gave a demo on creating honey lollipops, honey lip balm, and honey chili sauce. Notably, Aval's best-selling product is their honey lip balm, prized for its ability to nourish and moisturize dry, chapped lips. Aval's amazing apiary products can fetch an average of 10 thousand pesos a month.
After the training, the attendees were provided with a starter kit to take back to their farms and community, which includes: propolis tincture, bee veils (Personal Protective Equipment), bee boxes, and bee products from the hands-on demonstration. Datu Makadingding further motivated the participants to utilize their acquired knowledge and skills to expand bee colonies, enabling them to participate in the "Buy-Back Scheme" for selling the produced honey.
In the business of beekeeping, a buy-back scheme involves beekeepers selling their products to a business entity or organization. This arrangement offers beekeepers a secure market for their honey, beeswax, and other hive products. The business entity managing the buy-back program establishes clear terms and prices for acquiring these goods from beekeepers, giving them a dependable avenue to sell their products. By participating in buy-back schemes, beekeepers can effectively regulate their production, guarantee a consistent revenue flow, and secure a market for their offerings.
The Training on Stingless Bee Beekeeping and Processing for Youth Leaders commenced on March 13, 2024, and concluded on March 15, 2024, at the Umanika Eco-Cultural Farm in Barangay 11, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. (with reports from Cristine A. Galupo, Agriculturist II)
