SCUs partner to boost beekeeping industry
THE Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) has forged agreements with a number of state colleges and universities (SCUs) for the establishment of beekeeping satellite centers to boost the industry.
Maricon Viduya, DMMMSU Strategic Communications director, said the participating SCUs that executed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with them include the University of Southeastern Philippines, Occidental Mindoro State College, Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Masbate State University and Camarines Norte State College.
Viduya said partner SCUs will establish beekeeping satellite centers, which “signifies a concerted effort to address the growing demand for honeybee product production and pollination services nationwide. “
“By leveraging their respective strengths in research and extension services, the collaborating institutions intend to facilitate knowledge exchange, capacitybuilding and technology transfer in beekeeping,” she said.
DMMMSU President Jaime Manuel Jr. said the establishment of beekeeping satellite centers signals a promising chapter in the country’s journey toward sustainable development in the field of beekeeping or apiculture.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the collaboration, Manuel highlighted the industry’s potential to harness the diverse expertise and resources of the partner-institutions.
“Through this partnership, we aim to empower local beekeepers, promote environmental sustainability and drive innovation in the apiculture sector,” Manuel said.
Viduya said the MoA signing ceremony was attended by key stakeholders from the government, academia and the beekeeping industry, underscoring the widespread support and recognition of the collaborative endeavor.
In 1991, the Apiculture Training and Development Center (ATDC), now known as the National Apiculture Research, Training and Development Institute (Nartdi), was established at the DMMMSU campus in Bacnotan, La Union.
DMMMSU said the ATDC was established due to the need for an institution to spearhead and support the development of the local beekeeping industry.
According to DMMMSU, beekeeping is one of the most important forms of agriculture in the world and about one-third of the seed yield of crops worldwide is supported by the pollination of cross-pollinated plants.
It also noted that diversified bee products like honey, beeswax, royal jelly, bee venom, pollen and propolis have potential demand, both in the local and international markets.
“Hence, apiculture should be developed as an urban agrobased industry since it enhances the balance of the ecosystem. It maximizes the labor resources of both the women and youth sectors of society,” the university stated.
However, DMMMSU said the growing demand for beekeeping training and technical assistance could hardly be met by the Nartdi.
“This is due to its limited resources and the absence of authority in the center to prepare, implement and oversee research and extension programs in apiculture, thus the creation of the Nartdi in 1999,” the university said.