Young Lecturer at IPB University: 35 Percent of Global Food Production Depends on Bees

World Bee Day is celebrated every May 20. Nadzirum Mubin, SP, MSi, a young IPB University lecturer from the Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, IPB University, explained the important role of bees in the agricultural ecosystem. 

Bees are one of the most important biological agents in agricultural ecosystems, due to their role as the main pollinators for various cultivated plants.

This group belongs to the Apidae family and the Hymenoptera order, which includes various species such as honey bees (Apis spp.), stingless bees (Tetragonula, Heterotrigona), to solitary bees such as Megachile and Xylocopa. 

“The existence of bees cannot be underestimated. They are key actors in sustainable agricultural systems. The loss of bee populations will have a direct impact on world food production, and can even trigger a broad ecological crisis,” he said.

Therefore, he emphasized that protecting bees means protecting the future of agriculture and humanity’s food security.

“Their presence is vital as more than 35 percent of global food production depends on insect pollination services, with bees as the main contributor. 

Crops such as mangoes, apples, longan, strawberries, cucumbers, and chili peppers and tomatoes show increased quality and quantity of yield when natural pollinators such as bees are optimally present. 

“The pollination process by bees not only increases fruit set and seed set, but also improves the physical quality of the fruit, such as weight, color, length, and storability,” said Nadzir, a young IPB University lecturer.

Nadzir stated that bees not only play a role in increasing crop productivity, but also in maintaining biodiversity. 

“By helping pollinate wild plants, bees help maintain the survival of various plant species that are a source of food for other animals, thus strengthening the web of life in an ecosystem,” he explained.

In the economic aspect, bees are also a source of income through the production of honey and derivative products, as well as an alternative pollination service that is more efficient and cheaper than manual pollination.

Nadzir said the bee population is currently facing various serious threats. The main factors causing the decline of bee populations include the use of harmful chemical pesticides, climate change, and biological disturbances from predators, parasitoids and pathogens. 

“We have conducted several studies on the effects of insecticides on bees. Active ingredients such as spinetoram, abamectin, imidacloprid, profenofos and so on and combinations with pesticide adjuvants (PST and EML), have a high level of toxicity to stingless bees such as Tetragonula laeviceps,” he said. 

Exposure can occur directly (body contact) or indirectly through nectar, pollen, or water. This is exacerbated by intensive agricultural practices that ignore ecological principles.

As a solution, he suggests implementing a holistic bee conservation strategy. One of them is by planting bee forage plants. This not only provides nectar and pollen, but also serves as refugia for natural enemies of pests such as predators and parasitoids.

In addition, education to farmers and the wider community about the importance of bees for food security needs to be promoted. Reducing the use of synthetic pesticides and transitioning to environmentally friendly agricultural systems are strategic steps in maintaining the sustainability of bee populations. (*/Rz) (IAAS/NRA)