A preliminary talk between Apayao State College and Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-National Apiculture Research Training and Development Institute (DMMMSU-NARTDI) was undertaken at the office of ASC President John N. Cabansag in Luna Campus on October 17, 2023.
The engagement will lead to the proposed establishment of the Satellite Apiculture Center at ASC which will serve as an extension, research, and training arm of NARTDI to help address the increasing demand for training and technical assistance on beekeeping among farmers and residents in the Cordillera being identified as one of the regions with good vegetation and cropping system potential for apiculture.
Moreover, the establishment of the Satellite Apiculture Center will also support members of the Beekeepers’ Association of the Philippines, wherein Dr. Geronimo Digma, a faculty member of ASC Agriculture Department has been a member since 2011.
During the meeting, both parties initially agreed to seal their partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The working MOA underwent review and inputs led by the President and the faculty members of the Agriculture Department represented by Dr. Angelito G. Renosa, Dr. Geronimo L. Digma, Dr. Lorna Q. Caraang, and Mr. Julius Oandasan.
The DMMMSU-NARDTI visiting team is composed of Executive Director Joseph A. Panas together with Mr. Arvin C. Tuyan, Division Chief, Extension, Dr. Venelyn L. Bersamira, Division Chief-GASS, Gerilyn T. Opeña, Research staff, and Francis Ian U. Fontanilla, Administrative staff.
The visit was a result of President Cabansag’s initiative of inviting DMMMSU-NARDTI to discuss possible collaboration on apiculture/beekeeping which has recently been realized.
Photos courtesy of President John Cabansag, Jomel Princesa, and Dr. Gerry Digma
