The Agricultural Training Institute–Regional Training Center 8 (ATI-RTC 8) successfully conducted the “Honey to Money: A Training on Basic Beekeeping” from November 6 to 8, 2025, at the ATI-RTC 8, Visayas State University (VSU) Campus, Baybay City, Leyte.
The three-day training aimed to enhance participants' knowledge and practical skills in basic beekeeping, including hive management, beekeeping tools and equipment, honey production, and the crucial role of bees in pollination and sustainable agriculture.
Lecture sessions and discussions were held at ATI-RTC 8, while the hands-on activities took place at CCF Integrated Farm in Brgy. Bubon, Baybay City, Leyte. Participants actively engaged in practical exercises, including splitting stingless bee colonies, harvesting honey, processing hive by-products into cream, and preparing a propolis tincture, enabling them to apply the concepts discussed in the lectures directly.
One participant, Renandy Caday, shared that the training deepened his appreciation for bees and their role in farming.
“I am deeply grateful for the chance to join this meaningful training. As Sir Robert Diesta shared how organized and amazing bees are, I couldn’t help but be in awe of how wonderfully God designed these tiny creatures. This experience underscored the vital role of bees in organic farming and the significant potential of beekeeping as a sustainable livelihood. I was also inspired to see both young farmers and retirees united by the same passion for farming and learning. I will proudly apply and share what I’ve learned with my fellow farmers so that together, we can build a more sustainable future.”
A total of 26 participants successfully completed the training, composed of LSA Farmer Cooperators, farmer-trainers, and Youth Internship Program on Organic Agriculture (YIPOA) graduates. The activity reinforced ATI-RTC 8’s commitment to promoting climate-smart, sustainable, and income-generating agricultural technologies that empower farmers and strengthen rural communities.
