MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao is
eyeing a ₱5-million allocation next year to strengthen the region’s beekeeping industry, as it
pushes for improved technologies, pollinator conservation and sustainable agricultural practices.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan announced the proposed support
during the 30th BEENET Conference and Technofora held on October 22-24, 2026, at the
Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in
Barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay City.
“This is something that the Department fully supports in the coming years. In fact, next year, we
are looking at providing PhP5 million in support of bee industry development in Northern
Mindanao,” Pacamalan said.
The three-day conference brought together beekeepers, researchers and apiculture experts from
across the country to exchange research findings, technologies and practical approaches to
beekeeping and pollinator conservation.
Held under the theme “Best Agricultural Practices for Pollinator Conservation and Sustainable
Agriculture,” the event featured scientific presentations, plenary discussions and forums on
developing a national framework for bee conservation and sustainable beekeeping.
Discussions also covered queen bee production, nectar- and pollen-producing plants, and
commercial beekeeping practices.
Participants visited selected apiaries in Bukidnon to observe beekeeping methods and honey-
processing operations, while sharing experiences and exploring opportunities for collaboration
among industry practitioners and research institutions.
Among the sites visited was Aval’s Apiary, an Agricultural Training Institute-certified Learning
Site for Agriculture in Barangay Lingion, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
Its owner, Arnold A. Valle, said the conference provided an opportunity for beekeepers to
improve their knowledge of bee management and strengthen cooperation with fellow
practitioners and researchers.
“Events like this allow me and my fellow beekeepers to better understand the proper care of
bees. This also encourages collaboration among beekeepers, enthusiasts, and researchers in
addressing the various challenges in the industry,” Valle said.

He added that the gathering could inspire other regions to further develop their local beekeeping
industries.
Pacamalan also highlighted the potential of digital agriculture in improving the traceability of
bee colonies and monitoring their foraging activities, particularly as the region seeks to expand
the market for bee products.
The department is considering support for Valle’s team to develop queen bee production
capabilities, which would help establish the origins and performance of queen bees across
different farms.
Pacamalan said drone mapping within a five-kilometer radius of each colony could also help
identify the areas where bees forage and the plants from which they gather nectar.
Such information could strengthen product traceability and provide consumers with better
information on the sources of locally produced honey and other bee products.
DA-10 said it would continue supporting knowledge-sharing initiatives and the adoption of
modern agricultural technologies to promote sustainable food production and strengthen the
region’s agriculture sector. (NQA/melbmadera)