Abstract

Author:
Astha Singh, Pragya Tripathi, Dipesh Kumar Mehata, Ramkeval

Doi: 10.26480/egnes.01.2025.62.64

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Pollinators, particularly bees, are vital for sustaining global agriculture, food security, and biodiversity. More than 75% of food crops depend, at least partly, on animal-mediated pollination, which enhances both yield and nutritional quality. However, pollinator populations are rapidly declining due to habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, invasive species, and emerging diseases. This decline poses serious risks to food and nutritional security, particularly for pollinator-dependent crops such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and oilseeds. In India and other regions, reduced pollinator activity has already affected the productivity of crops like mustard, cucurbits, and apples, threatening farmer livelihoods and consumer access to nutrient-rich foods. Safeguarding pollinators requires an integrated approach that combines sustainable farming practices, habitat restoration, responsible pesticide management, promotion of apiculture, and strong policy support. This review highlights the ecological and economic importance of pollinators, examines the drivers of their decline, and discusses strategies to ensure pollinator conservation as a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.