Growing Better Crops in India with Pollination Services and Stewardship Training

Who:

CropLife India has partnered with the Indian Council of Agricultural Re­search (ICAR) and one of its extension facilities, Agricultural Development Trust (KVK) Baramati.

What:

This pilot project, called “Madhu Sandesh” (meaning “honeyed message” in Marathi language), consists of providing subsi­dized beehive rentals and training in both Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and the responsible use (RU) of crop protec­tion products to pomegranate growers and onion seed producers. It aims to im­prove crops by promoting awareness and utilization of pollination services as well as good stewardship.

Why:

In many cases, farmers who are depen­dent on pollinators for crop production do not fully realize the benefits they yield. Through this project, CropLife India is promoting a holistic under­standing of the need for crop protec­tion products and the environment to co-exist. It is also incentivizing farmers to use these products responsibly.

How:

By establishing an apiary and starting a hive rental program with crop-specific training in one of India’s leading farmer institutes, this project has made pollina­tion services available to farmers plant­ing pollination-dependent crops. It has also promoted the tangible benefits of pollination and RU/IPM to the broader farming community.

Outcomes:

Pomegranate farmers who rented beehives saw their yield increase by 35 percent, while the training they received helped them reduce inputs, resulting in higher margins. Addition­ally, 90 percent of farmers reported a better quality crop with more even maturation. Fruits with even color­ing and shape fetch a higher market price, boosting farmers’ income. As a result, the net income of pome­granate farmers has increased by 42 percent. Onion seed producers who participated in the project also saw their yields increase by 17 percent, in­creasing income overall by more than 18 percent.

An impact assessment also found that farmers involved in Madhu Sandesh have better knowledge of pollinator benefits and of RU/IPM. They are more willing to rent beehives in the future and pay for protective equipment.