The pollination of flowers by bees is necessary for the survival of ecosystems, agricultural crops and food diversity. Bees play a crucial role in the production of many foods that form the basis of our diet. In recent years, pollination by these insects has been threatened by a number of factors that are jeopardising food security and the balance of ecosystems.

The Key Role of Bees in Pollination

Pollination by bees, which is the process by which pollen from one flower is transferred to the female organ of another flower of the same type, enables the formation of seeds and fruits. This process is essential for the reproduction of many plants, including some agricultural crops. It is estimated that over 75% of the world's major food crops depend to some extent on animal pollination, mainly by bees.

Threats to Bee Pollination

In recent decades, bee pollination has been endangered by a combination of factors, including:

1. Pesticides and Chemicals
   The widespread use of chemical pesticides has been shown to have a negative impact on bees. These chemicals can weaken them by damaging their immune system and affecting their ability to orientate.
2. Habitat Loss
   The destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats reduces the food resources and living space available to bees.
3. Climate Change
   Climate change affects the availability of flowers and food resources for bees.

How to Safeguard Bee Pollination?

Preserving bee pollination is essential to ensure food production and healthy ecosystems. This is done through:

1. Pesticide Reduction
   The adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, such as the controlled and targeted use of pesticides, can help protect bees and other beneficial insects.
2. Habitat Conservation
   The creation and maintenance of wild areas, flower meadows and natural habitats help to provide food resources and nesting areas for bees.
3. Education and Awareness
   Raising awareness about the crucial role of bees and the adoption of bee-friendly practices by consumers can help support conservation efforts.

Our Commitment

Bargiolina has joined the Coldiretti Cuneo project "ImpolliniAMO", which has as its slogan "For the love of nature, to protect biodiversity and the environment in which we all live" and which, in its first year, saw the active involvement of 16 educational farms in the Granda province.

The aim of the project is to encourage the proliferation of these ‘friendly’ insects and the surrounding plant species is through the presence of blooms and continuations that provide a good supply of nectar and pollen. For this, we sowed a mixture of seeds of specially selected melliferous plants to create a small flowering oasis and set up a small house as a refuge for the insects. All this was accompanied by an explanatory panel with useful hints on how to help protect the environment.

Maintaining a healthy environment for bees and adopting sustainable agricultural practices is essential to preserve this precious relationship. Bee conservation is not only a duty to nature, but also a matter of our food security.