In Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, a remarkable young woman named Amara Fumero Valle is making waves in beekeeping and the academe. At just 17 years old, Amara has already proven herself to be an effective multi-tasker and achiever, seamlessly balancing her responsibilities on the family's bee farm Aval’s Apiary Products and Services with her exceptional academic achievements.
Amara's Passion for Bees and Academics
Amara's journey began at a young age when she would accompany her parents Arnold and Malaya to their small but thriving bee farm. Fascinated by the intricate workings of the hive and the vital role bees play in our environment, Amara quickly developed a deep appreciation for these industrious buzzworthy insects. She spent countless times observing the bees, learning about their behavior, and even helping harvest honey and making bee-derived products.
“When I started learning beekeeping and the science of beekeeping during the pandemic, I immediately loved it. My initial contribution was to help my father as his assistant. In the world of digitalization, I act as the bridge between agriculture and technology on the farm. I help the family’s beekeeping business market digitally and reach customers online. Since I help manage our official Facebook business page Aval’s Apiary Products and Services, I interact with the customers and relay orders and inquiries to my parents.” Amara shared.
Excelling in the Classroom and the Field
While Amara's passion for beekeeping was evident, her academic prowess was equally impressive. Consistently ranking among the top students in her class, (she graduated class Salutatorian as of writing), Amara's dedication to her studies has earned her numerous accolades and scholarship grants, from bagging a DOST full-time scholarship including her acceptance into the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB), where she qualified and plans to pursue a degree in BS Chemistry.
“At first I wanted to pursue forensics, but I realized later on that chemistry is very broad and that I can use such knowledge in business. I can use the knowledge in our beekeeping business, especially in product development. I also intend to help enhance the agricultural practices at home by harnessing the power of chemistry. As a Grade 12 student, my research project was about a gel-based treatment using lemongrass oil, which I hope will work out as a treatment against Varroa mites on the farm. So far, I’ve seen promising results that it is effective and it was also submitted as an entry to the Regional Science Technology Fair.” Amara said.
Balancing Responsibilities and Achieving Dreams
Amara's ability to juggle her responsibilities on the bee farm and her academic commitments is nothing short of remarkable. She wakes up early each morning to tend to the hives, ensuring the bees are healthy and the honey production is running smoothly. After her farm duties, Amara heads to school, where she immerses herself in her studies, participating in various extracurricular activities and community service projects.
“One of the stereotyping that is going on with our farmers is that most of them are low-income, but things are slowly and gradually changing since a lot of young people like me are taking an interest in, and would love to be involved in farming. Another farmer stereotype is that they are uneducated, but with the advancement of technology and the availability of social media, our farmers are getting the (farming) information they need. Farmers can now also avail of free agri-courses online with certificate courses where they can learn and acquire new farming practices.” Amara pointed out.
"It's not always easy, but I love what I do," Amara says with a smile. "The bees and my studies are both a huge part of my life, and I'm grateful to be able to pursue both passions. I encourage my fellow youth to not be afraid to get their hands dirty and to try new things. Our advantage is that with our young age, we have more freedom to explore and to contribute to our aging farmers and also to innovate"
Amara's story is a testament to the power of dedication, hard work, and a deep-rooted passion. As she continues to excel in both her academic and beekeeping endeavors, she serves as an inspiration to young people everywhere, proving that with the right mindset and determination, anything is possible.
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