Trees and Bees

On the 9th of June 2015, Bilut Valley Bee Farm received very important visitors from the Forest Research Institute Malaysia FRIM). Tuan Sadali Sahat is from the Natural Forest Programme, Forestry and Environment Division of the organisation and is an expert in tropical trees namely those from the dipterocarp family. A number of meliponine species depend on resin from these trees to build their hives, entrances and honey pots. So, Tuan Sadali's extensive knowledge which he so willingly shares is so priceless to us.

Tuan Sadali is second from the right. He simply loves sharing knowledge and information on trees and forests that he gained from 35 years of experience in research work.

 

Although they encounter countless stingless bee colonies in their line of work, they had never seen meliponiculture nor tasted meliponine honey before. So it was our turn to share our knowledge with them with regards to the culturing of stingless bees. Of course like everyone else, Tuan Sadali was amazed at how the meliponines build their honey pots in the toppings that we make for them. We think Tuan Sadali was as pleased as us that he made the visit because it was an eye-opener for him how meliponines are so beneficial and thus precious to us.


We are extremely delighted that Tuan Sadali had taken the time to visit us. We certainly hope Bilut Valley Bee Farm and FRIM can and will work together for the mutual benefit of both parties, as well as for the conservation of meliponines in Malaysia.

A rainbow we saw on our way home from Bilut Valley later that day.

The beautiful skyline at dusk on 9 June 2015.