DA-CAR promotes beekeeping for income, food security

DA-CAR promotes beekeeping for income, food security



The Department of Agriculture-Cordillera (DA-CAR) is promoting beekeeping not just as an additional source of income but also for ensuring food security.

DA-CAR Science Research Technician II Allan John Panagan said the number one benefit of beekeeping is that bees serve as the primary pollinators in the ecosystem. Pollination supports biodiversity, ensuring food and nutrition security.

Panagan said they are promoting the venture in the European Honey Bee because they produce more honey and higher yields. The DA-CAR keeps at least 55 colonies of European honeybees at the apiary at the Baguio Animal Breeding and Research Center.

“Daytoyen ti na-train nga maikarga iti box. Adda diyaystingless bees pero bassit pay ti production tayo,”Panagan said.

[They were trained to be kept in a box. We also have stingless bees but the production is still low.]

He added that every year, they also disperse 25 bee colonies. Those who are interested to avail must send a request letter to the DA-CAR Regional Director.

According to bee experts at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, a third of the world’s food production depends on bees.

He said that beekeeping is also an additional source of income with a lot of marketable byproducts including honey, propolis, wax, and bee colonies.

Panagan advised those who want to venture in beekeeping to undergo the basic and advanced training and to prepare the area that will serve as their apiary.

He said that individuals who are interested in beekeeping training at the BABRC must submit a letter of intent to the DA-CAR regional director.

“Nu dagiyay interesado nga ag-avail iti services tayo, umay kayo laeng pumasyar ditoy apiculture center ditoyBABRC ditoy Dontogan, Baguio City,” Panagan said.

[Those who are interested to avail of the services, just visit the apiculture center here at BABRC, Dontogan, Baguio City.]

The Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions said that the health of bees is directly tied to the health of the ecosystems and food systems. By protecting bees, we are not only ensuring food security but also safeguarding our global biodiversity and the future of agriculture, the institution said. (DEG-PIA CAR)

The DA-CAR maintains 55 European honeybee colonies at the BABRC. (Photos by DA-CAR)