A total of 37 participants finished the beekeeping training conducted by the Cordillera Regional Apiculture Center (CRAC) on May 20-22, 2024. The participants came from different state universities and colleges in CAR, Department of Education (DepEd) Benguet, and the local community.

The CRAC staff served as the resource persons. During the three-day training, the participants were immersed on lectures and hands-on activities about bee biology, honeybee products, tools and equipment in beekeeping, hive management, honey bee pest and disease, queen rearing technique, nectar and pollen sources, and conservation of honeybees.

True to its purpose, the CRAC serves as a training ground for budding beekeepers through the regular conduct of beekeeping training, beekeeping internship-mentoring programs, and technical assistance. The center is recognized as a beekeeping training institution in CAR and other regions.

For the past two years, the center conducted a yearly average of 13 beekeeping trainings and hosted three batches of interns and mentees.

Completers of CRAC trainings are now engaged in various roles in the beekeeping industry. Some are either local and overseas beekeepers or are actively helping the center advocate for the conservation of honeybees.

Among the center’s past trainees and mentees who are currently working as beekeepers overseas are: Raven S. Luminang, Kevin V. Verazon, Jay-r O. Matay-eo, and Denies E. Lamsis employed by Busy Bee Farm Ltd. based in Alberta, Canada; and Ramirez D. Toriano and Adan O. Aglanang in Gentry Apiaries Inc. located in Florida, USA.

New additions to the list are Jeric B. Albano and Gerald M. Soley employed at Central Honey NZ Limited, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand; and Jethro B. Patang in Coney Wines Ltd., Wellington, New Zealand. One of CRAC’s most recent completer Dick Eliezer R. Cabanlig is now employed in Gundagai Bee Farms Pty. Ltd., New South Wales, Australia.

CRAC commits to continue educating and training world-class, would-be beekeepers, apiculturists, and other stakeholders towards developing the apiculture industry in support of food security and a vibrant ecosystem.//SJN. Ugnasi