Have you ever wondered what the fate of pollinators -mostly bees- is in polluted environments? Are bees really on the rise, or on a deep decline? What are the drivers, and what are the experiences like, for farmers who spent most time with these little friends? This is what we embarked on during our second webinar in the Pollinators for our Survival series. Gathered from Zambia, Uganda and Rwanda, young pollinator experts, agricultural professionals and beekeepers shared their knowledge with participants. In the end, we co-learned in so many ways! Below are some reflections from the session.
Catch the session here:
To begin with, Mr. Isaac Ndyamuhaki, our speaker from Uganda, whose focus is on how Ecosystem Based Farming practices can enhance pollinator populations, gave key statistics on the topic, noting that;
Pollinators contribute a significant role in both food production and economic growth
35% of food crop production worldwide depends on animal pollinators, supporting the production of 87 of the leading food crops worldwide (CropLife International, 2019).
The total economic value of insect pollinators worldwide amounted to $210 billion (FAO,2018)
Further, monocultures, massive land conversions and use of chemicals on farms were some of the highlighted causes of pollinator population decline, all linked to poor farming practices.
“The worrying decline in the number of pollinators is largely brought about by intensive agricultural practices, changes in land use and use of chemicals.”
Ms. Elizabth Gulugulu’s presentation, our speaker from Zambia, noted how less we regard bees and other pollinators. Making the case for them, in the most crucial things they do to ensure our very survival. Yet, due to intensive chemical use and indiscriminate handling of the environment, pollinators are at the mercy of nature’s own resilience. We are pumping in too much lethal substance, which threatens our pollinators, and in the end our own chances at life. It definitely seems like pollinators need facemasks than we do!
Some quick facts from her presentation:
Worldwide, at least thirty percent of 1500 crop plant species depend on pollination by bees and other insects.
Pollinators that tunnel in the ground help improve soil quality by mixing nutrients and improving water flow around roots.
A majority of plants, more than 70 percent of species, depend on insects, birds, bats, and other animals to transport the pollen
Mr. Leonard from Rwanda, a beekeeper made the case for beekeeping, and the opportunities and risks on populations. Synthetic and chemical applications posing dangers on bee populations, and making a call for reduced or elimination of such practices. For him, bees are definitely on the decline, and this negatively affects him as a beekeeper. If the populations go too low, his honey production is adversely affected, and so is his income in the end. Coexistence and safe handling of pollinators has a ripple effect on his personal development, as well as for his community.
Some pointers from his segment;
Consequences of polluted environments:
Bees suffer from habitat loss, abandoned farms, and the lack of bee-friendly flowers.
Some bee colonies collapse due to plants and seeds treated with pesticides and harmful parasites like mites.
Strategies of limiting and collapsing those impacts of polluted environments to bees:
Apply pesticides in the evening
Choose the appropriate formulation
Use less toxic, rapidly degradable
Alter application method (soil treatments or equipment that confines the spray to the intended target can help reduce the risk of drift from pesticides).
Establish apiaries in safe locations (At least 4 miles from crops being treated with toxic materials and subjected to drift).
NB: For us, we strongly believe in the adoption and use of nature-friendly and organic fertilizers and biological control of pests, as opposed to intensive chemical use on farms - which threaten organisms, and thus our survival. While at it, please join us in understanding just how critical pollution and the state of poisoning on farm/croplands is on pollinators - a case for Colombia, here - and let us know your thoughts.
Now, we only remain with one last webinar in the series. Are you excited for it? What aspect of this series would you want us to focus on? Do you wish to speak at the session? Are there key material you would want us to share with our networks or participants on the webinar? Please get in touch with our regional Director for Africa, Kaluki, at kaluki@youth4nature.org. Any general feedback or inquiry you have? Get in touch at hello@youth4nature.org. And lastly, please check out our new storytelling campaign, #YourStoryOurFuture and participate here: www.youth4nature.org/storytelling
Cheers and catch you soon!
Compiled by Kaluki Paul - Regional Director for Africa, Youth4Nature.