GREEN HONEY PRODUCED IN 'MARIJUANA CAPITAL'

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet--Researchers from the University of the Philippines in
Baguio will make pessimists eat their own words when they extracted,
perhaps, the first green honey variety in Asia.

Scientists, social workers and government officials are hoping that this
unique product can also wean farmers in the town of Kapangan away from
cultivating marijuana, which is known to grow profusely in the area.

Kapangan is known as the "marijuana capital of the Philippines."

Researchers Ann Jubyl L. Amado, Amor L. Laurean and Candy T. Cahilog said
the breakthrough was made possible through the introduction of honey bees
in Central Kapangan, Benguet, in November 2003 by Enrique Tayaotao Sr.,
vice chair of the Pines Beekeepers Cooperative in Buyagan, La Trinidad.

The researchers's study aimed at determining the sources of pollen and
nectar in honey in Baguio-Benguet was carried out by UP Baguio in
cooperation with the co-op.

They observed that the source of the green honey is the local tree species
identified as Calliandra, which grows in different areas of Benguet.
Scientifically called Calliandra calothyrsus specie, the tree reaches 20
feet in height when fully grown and resembles the appearance of another
tree, the pod producing ipil-ipil trees.

Its flowers also look like flowers of the bottle brush trees, also growing
in the province. Dripping with light yellow nectar early in the morning,
the Apis millifera bees start sucking the sweet substances from the trees
from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m.

Tayaotao who serves as technical critic to the researchers, said since the
cultivation of Calliandra seven years ago, it is only today that this
observation was discovered.

Incidentally, these trees were introduced by Marilou Andrada, a senior
researcher from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
Loakan, Baguio City, when she and Tayaotao both attended a bee-keeping
seminar at the Apiculture Training and Development Center, now the National
Apiculture Research, Training and Development Institute (Nartdi) based in
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Bacnotan, La Union in 1995.

Nartdi was established under Republic Act 9151.

With 20 fully grown Calliandra tress in his front yard in Buyagan, La
Trinidad, Tayaotao said these species are easy to grow and adaptable in
Benguet.

One just has to soak the dried seeds from the pods in water and then starts
to germinate and then potted and transplanted. It starts flowering at age
of one year and blooms from the months of September and October.

While the trees are good sources of nectar, they can also be used as
firewood and in water management programs. To ensure the profitability of
the rare honey in the Cordillera region, farmers have to have the honeybees
foraging from these plants produce white, yellow, light and dark brown
honey and which are very common in the local market.

With its unique characteristics and distinct color green, honey would fetch
a better price than the other varieties. It could cost P160 to P170 a
one-half kilo.

To promote the development and production of green honey in the region, the
University of the Philippines researchers have to collaborate with Benguet
State University and the Pines Beekeepers Cooperative. Hopefully, the
product will be available in the market in commercial scale in three years.

Tracing his roots in Paykek, Kapangan, Tayaotao, dreamed of introducing
honey bees in the area and found its warm climate very favorable to honey
production.

While bees contribute to the conservation and preservation of the rich for
flora and fauna of the region, in the long run, bee keeping provides
additional source of income and or part-time jobs for the farmer's because
it only requires a weekly intervention and the determination to succeed.