MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon. (PIA) -- Thirty young farmer leaders across northern Mindanao engaged in a specialized training program on stingless beekeeping and processing on March 13–15 at the Umanika Eco-Cultural Farm in Barangay 11, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

The goal of this initiative is to improve participants' understanding of stingless bee production, management, and other byproduct creation.

The event convened training participants hailing from Cagayan de Oro City, Magsaysay, and Manticao in Misamis Oriental, as well as Malaybalay City in Bukidnon. The Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC)-10 collaborated with the Private Agriculture and Fisheries-Extension Service Provider (PAF-ESP) and GreenMinds Incorporated to make this training program possible.

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.

Resource speakers Cristine A. Galupo, Reynaldo Gil G. Lomarda, and Malaya F. Valle engaged participants during the actual training through a series of lectures, discussions, sharing, and demonstrations.

Following a briefing about the ATI's youth programs, the participants heard a talk about the importance of beekeeping in agriculture. Another part of the training was the identification of pests and causes of stingless bee diseases, discussing pollination and food collection by stingless bees, learning about stingless bee management basics, observing harvesting techniques for stingless bee products like honey, pollen, and propolis, and gaining 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, as is customary to handling his regular age group of farmers as training participants.   

Malaya F. Valle from Avals Apiary Products and Services demonstrated the diverse byproducts derived from a bee colony. During a hands-on session, she instructed participants 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.

Following the training, Datu Makadingding gave the attendees a starter kit, which included propolis tincture, bee veils (personal protective equipment), bee boxes, and bee products from the hands-on demonstration, to take back to their farms and communities. Datu Makadingding further motivated the participants to utilize the 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. (ATI-10/PIA-10)