Using biocontrol-based integrated pest management to reduce pollinator loss
Pollinators, such as bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and some flies, play a crucial role in agricultural ecosystems by facilitating the reproduction of about 80% of our crops. Pollinators assure at least 30% of human’s food production. However, their populations have been heavily declining increasingly compromising food safety. Integrated pest management (IPM) is a more sustainable and…
How bees can be a friend to smallholders
In an unprecedented study, honey bees have been found to be the world’s most important single species pollinator in natural ecosystems. Working alongside wild bees, they are also said to be responsible for every one in three bites of food. For the smallholder farmer, befriending bees – both honey and wild – could mean more…