Agrishow 2019: hotel bees and app that maps beehives help prevent extinction of pollinators

The disappearance of several species of bees is a known fact around the world and is related to various factors, such as the misuse of pesticides, climate change and the loss of habitats of these insects as a result of the exploitation of the Earth. In Brazil, the scenario is no different. Especially in São Paulo and Santa Catarina, studies indicate the weakening and collapse of some colonies. So farmers, beekeepers and companies in the sector have joined in search of alternatives to avoid the extinction of species. One of these projects is the "Bees", developed by Bayer and whose goal is to serve as a shelter for pollinating insects. A template is being presented at the Agrishow 2019, agricultural technology fair that happens in Ribeirão Preto (SP). "We have various pollinators. But, the bee is the most important. It is estimated that they are responsible for 70% of crops, especially fruits and vegetables, "says agronomist Claudia Quaglierini, Manager of Bayer's agricultural policies. Chavez claims that the hotel was designed for solitary bees, who do not live in hives and produce no wax or honey, as the best-known in the country. These insects-it is estimated that there are 3000 living species in cavities in the ground or in tree trunks. But, as crops occupy extensive territorial areas, these bees are losing your natural habitat and the "hotel" emerges as an alternative to shelter, avoiding mortality. At the same time, the structure protects the insects in the case of spraying. "When we talk about bee in Brazil, everyone recoils because remember the sting. We're afraid, is instinctive. The Hotel of bees is precisely to ensure the maintenance and the biodiversity of these bees we're unaware of, "says the agronomist. Built in wood in the form of a honeycomb, the hotel has small stumps and branches with holes, where the bees can take shelter. In one of the magazines, the farmer can also put Hay, for a species that lives in this environment. Today, 62 units are scattered across the country in rural properties and research institutes, such as the Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) in Jaboticabal (SP), the State University of Maringá (UEM) and the Federal University of Ceará (UFC). "The easiest way is the farmer get at Bayer's points system. Every producer who buys a branded product accumulates an amount of points and can trade for anything you want, including the Hotel of bees, "says Rodrigo Maduro, technical manager of sales. According to Maduro, the structure does not require maintenance and is treated with waterproofing, to be left exposed to different temperatures and rain. The "hotel" can be installed in the field, amid the crop, or at the offices of the property. "The more possible shelters exist in areas easily accessible to insects, better for the environment and biodiversity. The goal is to promote this project so that the bees have places where they can develop ". Integration The integration between farmers and beekeepers also is critical to avoid the extinction of bees. So, the defensive sector created the Hive movement Alive, under the leadership of the National Union of Plant Defense products industries (Sindiveg). Among the initiatives of the Hive Alive is the "Bee Participatory Mapping", which has the support of Unesp and the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), and which aims to identify factors that contribute to mortality of these insects. Still in progress, the unpublished study have enabled the construction of a national action plan aimed at best practices of application of pesticides, in addition to creating an application to facilitate dialogue between farmers and breeders of bees. This tool, the farmer points where you will apply the product and the beekeeper says where are the hives. When there is overlap in the areas of agriculture and beekeeping, both receive alerts for adoption of measures to avoid contamination of bees. Bayer is one of the signatories of this motion. Good practices of company Manager, Adriana Ricci says that there are a number of goals to be met until 2020 and set out in an agreement signed between the partners and Ibama. The first of these was the training of 100% of the commercial team on the proper use of the products and the importance of beekeeping and the preservation of bees. By the end of the year, 70% of the distribution network should also be clarified about the same topics. "We want that our products are used correctly in the field to ensure the safety of the environment, the rural worker. We believe that this initiative is of essential importance to ensure the brazilian agriculture, "he says.