Generating income through beekeeping, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center XII started the Honey-to-Money: Training of Trainers on Beekeeping (Stingless Bees) for Livestock Coordinators and Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) Cooperators from Region XII and BARMM on April 21, 2025, at ATI-RTC XII, San Felipe, Tantangan, South Cotabato. The 5-day training, scheduled from April 21 to 25, 2025, aims to promote, introduce, and sustain honeybee production as a source of livelihood and a contributor to food security in the region.

On the first day, Dr. Jessie V. Beldia, OIC-Center Director of ATI-RTC XII, welcomed the participants with a warm message highlighting the differences between stingless bees and common honeybees, encouraging everyone to enjoy the learning process while at ATI. Mr. Errol Chris A. Laspiñas, Agriculturist I, presented the training course overview, outlining what participants can expect throughout the 5-day program. To foster engagement, Ms. Kissciel Arao-Arao, Technical Staff, facilitated an engaging Leveling of Expectations activity, allowing participants to express their hopes regarding the venue, food, training team, resource speakers, and fellow participants.

The technical sessions began with Mr. Roland Y. Fajardo, DVM, MSc., Associate Professor I from the University of Southern Mindanao– Kabacan. He discussed three modules, namely Module I: Introduction to Beekeeping, Module II: Bee Biology and Behavior, and Module III: Caste of Honeybee. His sessions provided participants with foundational knowledge on the role of bees in agricultural ecosystems, the anatomy of bees, importance of stingless bees, and an understanding of bee colony structures and behavior. His in-depth discussion continued on April 22, 2025, allowing more time for interactive learning and deeper exploration of the topics.