Beekeeping seen to boost Guimaras mango production

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January 21, 2018
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ILOILO City – Organic mango production in Guimaras is expected to get a boost with the introduction beekeeping in the island province.

Ramon Marañon, chairman of the Guimaras Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council, said they are encouraging mango growers to venture into beekeeping to increase pollinators in the province.

The bees will pollinate not only mangoes but also other horticultural crops, Marañon added.

Mango growers are also urged to minimize using pesticides causing a decline in the number of pollinators.

Beekeeping is included in the Provincial Development Physical Framework Plan and Annual Investment Plan and Provincial Commodity Investment Plan of Guimaras, according to Marañon.

Marañon hopes that the provincial government will provide substantial fund for the beekeeping industry.

Beekeepers in the province use cultured native bees.

A bee colony costs around P5,000. This colony can produce another colony after six months.

Marañon said the increasing number of foreign species of bees is “challenging.”

These foreign bees – when cultured – must be fed with refined sugar during the rainy season.

“The native ones are acclimatized. They work so well in all kinds of climate conditions,” Marañon said.

Aside from its agricultural benefits, beekeeping is also helpful to the environment.

Marañon said mangroves, for instance, also need pollinators during their flowering stage to be able to produce seeds.

The wax that the bees produce can also be made into soap and ointment, among others, said Marañon. (PNA/PN)
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