Soybeans have gained up to 13% with bee pollination

October 3 marks the national day of bees, insects recognized as fundamental for the balance of ecosystems. Responsible for the pollination of about 90% of flowering plants on the planet, according to Embrapa, they play a role that goes beyond honey production, with a direct impact on agricultural productivity. In Brazilian crops, this contribution has been confirmed by research. Soybean, although not a classic melliferous plant, showed significant gains when grown in areas with the presence of bees. A study conducted by BASF Agricultural Solutions, in partnership with Embrapa and Senar, pointed to an increase of up to 13% in productivity. From this initiative, a protocol of Good Agricultural and Apicultural Practices was validated, which guides the integration between farmers and beekeepers. As a result, the free booklet “Good practices for the integration of beekeeping and soybean cultivation” was prepared, with recommendations on communication between producers, management of ...