Aiming to improve the coconut productivity and increase the income of the coconut farmers in the region, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in MIMAROPA conducted the Farm-Level Training on Beekeeping: Stingless Bee as Coconut Pollinator on March 12-14, 2024 at DosFour Dos Integrated Farm, Brgy. Ramon Magsaysay, Aborlan, Palawan.
Mr. Lee S. Gaitana from PIA's Bee Farm, a certified Learning Site for Agriculture in CALABARZON explained that pollination by stingless bees accounts for a 40-60% increase in coconut yield, as stated in a recent study. Through his discussions and sample video clips, participants acquired the necessary knowledge about the uses of stingless bees and how to transfer them to beehive boxes.
During the hands-on activities held at Rodriguez Integrated Farm, a certified Learning Site for Agriculture in Brgy. Sagpangan, Aborlan, participants also practiced colony splitting, hunted stingless bees using the reduction method, and had the opportunity to harvest honey.
“Ang natutunan ko kay Sir na reduction method ay gagamitin ko na sa aking isa pang uri ng stingless bee. Malaki ang magiging tulong nito sa ating mga magsasaka dahil napakahalaga pala ng mga bees sa ating mga pananim”, said Mr. Aries G. Bajala from the KAANIB Community Based Organization, Magbabaon, Aborlan.
The three-day training spearheaded by ATI-RTC MIMAROPA in strong partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority-Palawan represented by Ms. Noeme Kate Ben-ek and Ms. Paula Ciudad, has graduated 18 coconut farmers registered in the National Coconut Farmers Registry System from Aborlan, Quezon, Puerto Princesa City, and Dumaran, along with two (2) Agricultural Extension Workers from Taytay.
