Bee species found as good honey producer

Bicolanos call it "kalulot".

It is a species of stingless bee that holds great promise in honey production.

In fact, using "kalulot" (scientific name: Trigona biroi) in the commercial production of honey is now considered a potential source of livelihood for Bicolanos and other farmers in the country.

Indigenous people in Region 5, in fact, claim that honey produced by "kalulot" is an effective cure for asthma and other respiratory diseases.

Moreover, it produces pollen, royal jelly, and propolis (a brownies resinous material of waxy consistency collected by bees from buds of trees).

The National Apiculture Training, Research and Development program of the Camariens Sur State Agricultural College (CSSAC) in Pili, Camarine Sur, has prioritized the technology on the culture and management of Trigona biroi as its flagship commodity for Bicol.

Involved in the project were Dr. Maria Dulce Mostoles, Prof. Raul Ruiz and Rodolfo Pacontin, all of CSSAC.

The technology, which can considerably augment the income of coconut farmers, is simple and can easily be adopted by small and large farmers. Members of a family can hunt the initial colonies from the wild, thereby, allowing them to work together and enhance family bonding.

PCARRD’s Vella Atienza reported that successful keeping of Trigona biroi includes obtaining colonies, hiving a colony, locating the colonies and their shelter, feeding the bees, colony reproduction, harvesting, extracting honey, home processing and product utilization.

Since bees depend on plants and trees for their sources of pollen and nectar, people engaged in beekeeping refrain from cutting these sources in forested areas. – Rudy A. Fernandez