Beekeepers often raise Western or European honeybees (Apis mellifera) because they provide highly valued pollination services for various crops and rank as the most frequent single pollinator species for crops worldwide.
However, many Filipino beekeepers prefer cultivating another kind: local stingless bees, also known as kiwot or lukot.
Native stingless bees produce honey, propolis, and pollen. Some claim that its hives are more low-cost and low-maintenance than their Western counterparts, making them relatively easy to maintain and nurture.
Milea Bee Farm in San Jose, Batangas, focuses on raising our native stingless bees, which they consider a gem of the Philippines.
“Not many folks know about these unsung local heroes. They produce unique honey with a sweet and sour twist, packed with medicinal properties–healing wounds, infections, coughs, and boosting the immune system,” said Bettina Omoyon, a young farmer who shares in her parents’ passion for beekeeping.
Yet their fascination with stingless bees goes beyond honey harvesting for selling and value-added production. For the Omoyons, stingless beekeeping is a game-changer in pollination, helping preserve our planet’s delicate balance. It’s a win-win for farmers and the environment.
They also share this knowledge and appreciation for native stingless bees with the farmers they educate so they can also help increase local biodiversity and promote food security within their respective farms.
“Taking care of our local bees is a breeze. Shielding them from the elements, guarding against ant invasions, and surrounding them with blooming beauties are our top priorities,” Omoyon said.
Milea Bee Farm is also an agri-tourism site where visitors learn about our buzzing buddies and the ecosystem they support.