The bee challenge and its skepticism
Estocapio faced several challenges in his beekeeping journey. One of the biggest challenges was the weather, as his farm experienced bad weather conditions that affected his bees and their productivity. He also faced skepticism from some people who questioned the authenticity of the honey he produced.
However, this also sparked curiosity and led to more inquiries about his farm and his practices. He welcomed visitors to his farm and was always willing to share his knowledge and educate others about beekeeping.
Estocapio is also concerned about the practices of bee hunters, who often use unsustainable methods when harvesting wild honey from the forest. These practices can negatively affect both the environment and the bee population.
Another challenge facing beekeeping in the Philippines is habitat loss and degradation. This issue is often linked to the absence of established standards for bee hunting and trade practices.
Estocapio observes that the older generation of farmers is often not open to new ideas and farm technology. This can create conflict with young farmers who want to implement modern methods. The older generation still prefers traditional ways of farming.
That is why he integrates other crops, such as coconut and banana, into his bee farm. This integration creates a bee pasture - an open area with a variety of flowering plants that is essential for beekeeping. The flowers of the coconut and banana plants, which bloom when the plants begin to bear fruit, provide a good source of food for the bees. Additionally, the presence of bees on the farm helps to pollinate his crops, improving their yields.
Maintaining the bee pasture is crucial because the bees rely on its output and quality to thrive and produce high-quality honey. The presence of bee pasture in his community also benefits neighboring farms, such as the mango farm, by improving their yields.
At present, he maintains 17 bee colonies on his farm and is planning to split the beehives. This technique involves dividing one hive into two to increase the number of bee colonies. Stingless bees can produce an average of 1-2 liters of honey, while European bees, such as Apismellifera, can produce up to 30 liters. Honey can be harvested once or twice a year.
According to Estocapio, stingless bees are relatively low maintenance compared to other types of livestock. Unlike other animals, they do not require regular feeding or chemical inputs to thrive. Instead, beekeepers only need to monitor their hives frequently to prevent intruders and predators, such as spiders, lizards, toads, and ants.
However, the certification process for honey is not easy. The certifying body requires a laboratory test, which can be expensive. Currently, there is no alternative way to determine the quality of honey except through a laboratory test.