Find out how to recover insect and bee pollen pollen

According to The Guardian, to prevent the extinction of pollinators, some countries impose a ban on pesticides, but this approach is not conducive to farmers.

German researcher Stephanie Christmann, an expert at the International Center specializing in agricultural research in arid lands, has come up with another alternative: eliminating monoculture, planting multi-species form to attract insects.

About 80% of crops depend on insect pollination , but their numbers are decreasing due to the use of pesticides and habitat destruction. For example, in Germany, pollinative decline in the past decade is 75% and in Puerto Rico - 97%.

The number of pollinators is decreasing due to pesticide use, habitat destruction and climate change.

Some countries, for example, EU members, voted to ban the most dangerous pesticides such as neonicotinoids and implement programs to grow wildflowers. However, this approach is costly and not beneficial to farmers.

After 5 years of fieldwork in Uzbekistan and Morocco, Stephanie Christmann concluded that insects can be saved by cultivating over a quarter of the cultivated area with flowers such as sunflower, spices and oilseed flower plants used as animal feed and medicinal plants.

In addition, it is necessary to give insects the opportunity to pollinate the nest, leaving some loose areas or placing pieces of wood. Tests have shown that growing a mixture of plants offers more benefits for both humans and nature.

The new approach has increased farmers' income and increased the number and diversity of pollinators. In addition, productivity has increased and the number of pests and diseases has decreased

For example, in arid areas, Stephanie Christmann has increased by 561%, pumpkin, eggplant yield - 364%, beans - 177% and melon - 56%. In areas with adequate humidity, the productivity of tomatoes has doubled and in mountainous areas, the yield of green pumpkin has tripled.

According to researcher Stephanie Christmann, new cultivation is suitable even for farmers in the poorest countries. There is no need for special technology and additional equipment, just invest a little money in buying seeds.

In the near future, Christmann will present his findings at the United Nations Conference on Biodiversity. According to her, the current crisis requires emergency measures, such as the adoption of an international convention to protect pollinators.

The extinction of bees is not the only reason why agriculture around the world needs new approaches. The fact is that pests and weeds quickly adapt to existing pesticides, just as bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. Without urgent action, humanity is threatened by food shortages.