An alarming fall in pollinators population would collapse the ecosystem rendering a food security crisis. BAIF’s pilot initiatives to boost the population of pollinator insects, not only enhanced pollination and crop production, but has also empowered youth to become the future custodians of agroecology conservation.
Agroecological conservation has assumed considerable significance nowadays induced by climate changes and habitat losses. Recent studies indicate an alarming decrease in insect population globally, attributed to habitat loss, use of pesticides, pollution and climate change, thus, adversely affecting food security and ecological sustainability. BAIF believes that promoting agroecological ecosystem services nurturing insect based natural control and natural predation mechanisms would play a critical and significant role in agroecological conservation.
Pollinators including bees, butterflies and other insects are crucial to the reproduction of over 75% of the flowering plants in the world, including more than two thirds of the crop species. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that out of the 100 crop species providing 90% of the food worldwide, 71 are pollinated by bees. Without these pollinators, the ecosystem would collapse rendering a food security crisis. The importance is highlighted in the contribution of pollinator insects to the global production (FAO 1996).
Beneficial insects are considered as decomposers breaking down organic matter and as predators controlling pest population. For instance, lady bugs and lacewings consume aphids and other pests that damage crops, thereby reducing the need for spraying chemical pesticides to control pest population. Being recognised as pollinators and beneficial insects, these small workers not only support the health of our natural landscape but also enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.
Recognising the critical role of conserving insects in agroecology conservation, BAIF, an NGO, implemented few pilot-based initiatives to boost the population of insects in the agriculture field. Recognising that there is an urgent need to engage the younger generation, some of the initiatives were carried out involving the youth, which are highlighted here.
Butterfly gardens in schools
BAIF has been raising awareness on the biodiversity and its benefits through promotion of ‘Butterfly Gardens’ within the school premises, providing exciting and holistic learning opportunities for the young minds.
The “Butterfly Garden” educational awareness programme is located at Dengachimet village in Jawhar taluk in Palghar district of Maharashtra. Launched in 2014 at the local Ashram (tribal residential) school, this school-based programme involves students and teachers who are trained to observe the interactions between plants and insects, especially butterflies. Every year, a new batch of 9th and 10th grade students participate enthusiastically in this programme. The programme has been operating successfully for the past decade with 10 students (5 from each class) selected annually for the Observation Project. These students receive guidance from school teachers. They observe and document the life cycle of butterflies in the dedicated butterfly garden in the school. They use guide books to accurately identify and record their observations in their notebooks. By observing insect life cycles, the students understand the flora and fauna, their relationship and the seasonality. Through hands-on experience, they understand the importance of pollinators and beneficial insects.
Pollinator gardens
For the past four years, efforts have been made to promote nectar and pollen source crops during the dry season. Crops such as niger, mustard, sesame, sunflower, carrot seeds, alfalfa, drumstick, lemon and curry leaves are cultivated in Malawada, Kaulale, Ganjad, Sensari, Gangodi and Dabhadi villages across Vikramgad, Jawhar and Dahanu blocks of Palghar district. A total of 540 farmers, in the age group of 25-35 years, are actively involved in this activity, including 65 youth as beekeepers.
These young farmers establish and maintain pollinator gardens to enhance pollination and extend the presence of pollinators in agricultural fields. Families are encouraged to establish pollinator gardens that not only serve as shelterbelts for these insects but also as living laboratories for producing a healthier environment.
Promotion of Bee colonies and Bee Hotels
Among several community programs involving youth, one specific initiative is the management of Apis cerana indica. It is a well-known honey bee species in tribal areas of India, and is found in horticulture plantations.
Ecosystems once provided hollows in trees or other suitable locations for solitary bees to lay their eggs. Loss of these sites has occurred owing to urban landscapes encroaching upon natural habitats. Solitary bees face challenges owing to the diminishing availability of natural nesting sites.
Artificial nesting structures, also referred to as Bee Hotels/bee houses/insect hotels are designed to replicate the conditions that solitary bees seek for laying their eggs in a safe and secure environment. These structures not only provide critical shelter for solitary bees but also raise awareness about the importance of pollinators in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health and contribute significantly conserving diverse bee species. Bee Hotels play a pivotal role in supporting solitary bee species, particularly mason bees and leafcutter bees, which differ from honeybees in their solitary nesting behaviour. By attracting a diverse array of bee species, bee hotels play a vital role in enhancing biodiversity and promoting ecosystem resilience, consequently, the overall health of ecosystems.
|
Unlike honeybees that form colonies, solitary bees prefer individual nesting sites. The life cycle within a bee hotel begins with female solitary bees laying their eggs within the designated nesting holes. These eggs are provisioned with a supply of pollen and nectar, carefully arranged to sustain the larvae as they develop. The solitary nature of these bees ensures that each nesting hole is dedicated to a single egg, fostering an independent and self-contained environment. As the eggs hatch, a new generation of solitary bees emerges from the nesting holes, marking a crucial phase in the life cycle. These newly hatched bees venture into the surrounding environment, contributing significantly to the essential process of pollination. |
Bee hotels exhibit a diverse range of structures, each meticulously designed to cater to the specific needs of solitary bees. Typically, these shelters are composed of a wooden frame featuring multiple compartments or tubes, strategically mirroring the natural hollows found in trees—an environment preferred by solitary bees for nesting. The simplicity of a wooden box with drilled holes offers a functional yet straight forward option for those seeking an easy site. On the other end of the spectrum, elaborate designs not only serve as functional habitats for bees but also contribute to the visual appeal of outdoor spaces, turning bee hotels into both ecological and artistic installations. Natural and untreated materials are preferred to ensure a safe and chemical-free environment for the resident bees. Wood blocks, bamboo stems, and drilled logs are commonly used, providing the necessary structural integrity while maintaining well-being of the bees and also aligning with sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Additionally, using bamboo with 2-3 nodes as a roof mimic hut-like structure. Drilling into bamboo just above the node, where the bamboo is softer, provides nesting places for carpenter bees, crucial pollinators. Orienting the bee hotel in a north-south direction is optimal.
BAIF has focused on promotion of native, wild, social, unsocial and solitary pollinators by providing habitats through artificial nesting solutions such as Bee Hotels for Xylocopa sp., and other pollinators such as Xylocopa amethystina, Apis cerana indica, Ceratinidia sp. Teratgonula iridipennis, Nomiinae and Halictinae lasioglossum (Ctenonomia) whose interaction with crops is well observed. These Bee hotels include cavity wooden structures, hollow twigs, cut bamboo and ipomoea twigs. Bamboos, particularly useful for non-honeybee pollinators like the Xylocopa species (carpenter bees), are drilled at the node portion and placed slantingly on farms to prevent percolation of rainwater.
Some results
Farm youth are not only sensitised about the importance of beneficial insects and pollinators but are also actively engaged in agroecological conservation for a healthier environment. Training and awareness sessions on sustainable agricultural practices, supported by CSR sponsorships, have resulted in 65 youth being trained to manage bee colonies. These youth led initiatives are not only enhancing pollination but are also inspiring local and visiting farmers on the benefits of integrating bee colonies into agriculture practices.
Pollination services have increased and 9 species of solitary bees were recorded from the bee hotels used for nesting. There is an abundance of other beneficial insects on the agricultural fields with Xylocopa sp., Xylocopa amethystina and Megachelid being the more beneficial pollinators in the field. Visits by beneficial insects to the crops has resulted in enhanced pollination of crops.
Natural control agents require nectar in the adult stage. As the nectar sources increase, natural control agents like Chelonus sp., get attracted helping in pest control. The use of pesticides is significantly reduced, thereby costs of cultivation too. This initiative has also led to improved yields in crops such as mango, cashew, chili, brinjal and cucumber, showcasing the tangible benefits of enhanced pollination. Their involvement has not only improved agricultural yield but also facilitated knowledge sharing among farmers. Thus, youth have become the future custodians of agroecology conservation.
References:
1. Buchmann, S. L. and Nabhan, G. P., The Forgotten Pollinators, 1996.
2. Klein, A. M., Vaissière, B. E., Cane, J. H., Steffan-Dewenter, I., Cunningham, S. A., Kremen, C., & Tscharntke, T., Importance of pollinators in changing landscapes for world crops. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2007.
3. Hallmann CA, Sorg M, Jongejans E, Siepel H, Hofland N, Schwan H, et al. 2017. More than 75 percent decline over 27 years in total flying insect biomass in protected areas., PLoS ONE 12 (10): e0185809. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0185809 Editor: Eric Gord.
Vinod Borse
Senior Project Officer
BAIF Development Research Foundation
Maharashtra
E-mail: vinod.borse@baif.org.in
