n this column last September 27, we printed the protest of Beenet Philippines, a group of beekeepers, over the transfer of quarantine services on the importation of bees from the Bureau of Plant Industry to the Bureau of Animal Industry. The transfer earlier this year was by virtue of an administrative order by Sec. Proceso J. Alcala of the Department of Agriculture.

The Beenet group had also claimed that the National Apiculture Research, Training and Development Institute (NARTDI) based at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMSU) in Bacnotan, La Union had not done its assigned job.

Here’s the answer of Dr. Apolonio Sito, executive director of NARTDI. He says that the propriety of which particular unit (BAI or BPI) should handle quarantine services regarding the importation of bees is the call of the DA. He adds that DA knows best which of its bureaus is more competent to handle the quarantine services.

Dr. Sito continues that the new system is better than the old setup because the quarantine services will be conducted in just one place – at the DA-BAI laboratories. The BAI has the appropriate facilities and competent personnel to perform the quarantine services.

As to the claim that NARTDI has not lived up to its mandate since its inception, Dr. Sito says that’s only Beenet’s conclusion. The authority who could better provide evaluation on how NARTDI performs are the hundreds of individuals who are now engaged in beekeeping. They can provide information on what NARTDI, through its personnel, have contributed to their livelihood as beekeepers.

Despite limited funds, Dr. Sito lists the following accomplishments:

1. The institute has completed 27 studies and is conducting 17 ongoing researches to further refine/develop beekeeping technologies.

2. It has conducted 83 batches of trainings where a total of 1,159 individuals participated. As a result, there are now around 700 well-trained beekeepers nationwide.

3. To have more competent beekeeping experts, 7 individuals/staff were sent to Canada, three went to Australia, two to Israel, one to Vietnam, and one to Thailand for beekeeping training and conferences.

4. Since 2001, NARTDI has been producing queen bees for distribution to beekeepers. On the average, it distributes 400 queen bees a year. Moreover, 46 private individuals were trained as queen breeders and are now producing 150 queens a year.

5. To bolster its capability to disseminate beekeeping technology, NARTDI has established four regional centers. These are in Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (Pili, Camarines Sur), Southern Luzon State University (Lucban, Quezon), Cagayan State University (Sanchez Mira) and Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet.

6. It has also established six provincial centers at the Quirino State College (Diffun, Quirino), Kalinga State College (Tabuk, Kalinga), Isabela State College (San Mariano), Aurora State College of Technology (Baler, Aurora), Romblon State University (Odiongan) and Pampanga Agricultural College (Magalang).

Each of the regional centers, according to Dr. Sito, can undertake initiatives to promote beekeeping in their respective areas.

Dr. Sito observes that local government units, state universities and colleges as well as other organizations and sectors are showing interest in beekeeping. The Beeking Roadmap that is being finalized with the help of the Department of Agriculture is a clear indication that the government is keen in improving the lives of beekeepers.

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AQUATIC FAIR AND BAZAAR – A three-day aquatic fair and bazaar will be held on December 7-9 at the AANI Herbal Garden at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City. One of the highlights will be the conversion or conventional fish culture to organic fish farming.

The event is being staged by the Agri-Aqua Network International (AANI) in cooperation with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Stakeholders in the fisheries industry will showcase their products, technologies and services in exhibits as well as in seminars. There will be a panel of experts to answer questions from the attendees.

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AGRI RADIO PROGRAM – Tune in to “Kaunlaran Sa Agrikultura” radio program every Sunday from 4:30 to 7:30 in the morning at DWWW, 774 khz on the AM band. You will be happy you did. This is hosted by Tony Rola, Nina Manzanares-Agu and Zac B. Sarian.

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