Profits from bee raising

NATIVIDAD, Pangasinan – Apiculture (raising of bees) has a potential as alternative income source for upland people.

This was proven by a project titled "Raising of bees as a livelihood project in Natividad, Pangasinan" conducted by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) researchers E. Patrimonio, C. Orallo, C. Domingo, A. Reyes, and L. Calacal.

In the DENR-funded study, the researchers introduced apiculture as a livelihood project in Barangays San Macario Sur, San Eugenio, and Bachelor West in 2004. In 2005, additional sites under the DENR Community-based Forest Management (CBFM) program were established in barangays Salud Regta, Bachelor East, and Cacandongan.

The project provided additional income to upland farmers trough the production of honey and other bee-products such as pollen, wax, propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom.

Currently, the DENR researchers said, the high demand for honey and other bee products has kept the buying price of honey at P150-P250 per kilogram. – Rudy A. Fernandez