Pollination is a crucial ecosystem service that supports sustainable agriculture and food production worldwide. A new study by researchers from Nepal, Brazil, and the UK reveals the staggering economic and nutritional value of pollination services in Nepal, a country where smallholder farmers heavily rely on insect pollinators for their livelihoods and nutrition. The study shows that pollination contributes a whopping $477 million annually to Nepal’s agricultural revenue, representing 9% of the country’s total agricultural output. This economic value is primarily driven by the production of pollinator-dependent crops like fruits, vegetables, and oilseeds. Remarkably, these pollinator-dependent crops also provide up to 40% of the country’s plant-based vitamin A and 14% of its vitamin C – essential nutrients for human health. As Nepal’s reliance on pollinator-dependent crops continues to grow, the researchers emphasize the urgent need to conserve and manage pollinators to ensure sustainable agriculture, food security, and nutrition for the country’s population. Pollination, ecosystem services, food security, nutrition, smallholder farming.
Pollination: The Unsung Hero of Nepal’s Agriculture
Pollination is a fundamental ecosystem service that underpins the productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems worldwide. By facilitating the transfer of pollen between flowers, pollinators – primarily insects like bees, butterflies, and moths – play a crucial role in enabling the production of many of the fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds that we consume. In fact, over 105 of the world’s most widely cultivated crops rely on pollination to some degree for their yield and quality.
The Hidden Economic Value of Pollinators in Nepal
A new study published in the journal Scientific Reports has shed light on the immense economic value that pollination services provide to the agricultural sector in Nepal, a country where smallholder farmers are heavily dependent on insect pollinators for their livelihoods. The researchers, led by Dr. Kedar Devkota from the Agricultural and Forestry University in Nepal, estimate that pollination services contribute a staggering $477 million annually to Nepal’s agricultural revenue – equivalent to 9% of the country’s total agricultural output.
This economic value is primarily driven by the production of pollinator-dependent crops such as fruits, vegetables, and oilseeds, which rely on insect pollination for their yield and quality. For example, the researchers found that crops like mango, citrus fruits, squash, and mustard are responsible for the majority of the economic value derived from pollination services in Nepal.
Pollinators and Nutrition: The Vital Link
In addition to their economic importance, pollinators also play a crucial role in supporting human nutrition in Nepal. The study reveals that pollinator-dependent crops are a major source of essential micronutrients, such as vitamin A and vitamin C. In fact, the researchers found that up to 40% of plant-based vitamin A and 14% of vitamin C production in Nepal is directly attributable to insect pollination.
Table 1 The economic value of different crop types grown in Nepal measured as millions of US dollars gained in revenue each year.
This is particularly significant in a country like Nepal, where access to diverse and nutrient-rich diets can be a challenge, especially for smallholder farming communities. The decline of pollinators and the resulting reduction in the production of these nutrient-dense crops could, therefore, have severe implications for the country’s food security and public health.
Increasing Reliance on Pollinator-Dependent Crops
Over the past two decades, the area cultivated with pollinator-dependent crops in Nepal has expanded by an impressive 91% – more than three times the rate of increase in non-pollinator-dependent crops. This trend reflects the national government’s efforts to promote the production of high-value, pollinator-dependent cash crops, such as fruits, vegetables, and oilseeds.
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While this shift towards more pollinator-dependent agriculture has economic and nutritional benefits, it also heightens the country’s vulnerability to pollinator declines. The researchers warn that the ongoing loss of wild and managed pollinators, driven by factors like habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change, poses a significant threat to Nepal’s agricultural productivity and food security.
Safeguarding Pollinators for Sustainable Development
The findings of this study underscore the crucial importance of pollinator conservation and management for ensuring the long-term sustainability of Nepal’s agricultural system and the food and nutrition security of its population. The researchers emphasize the need for targeted efforts, including policy interventions and on-the-ground conservation strategies, to protect and enhance pollinator populations in the country.
At the same time, the study highlights the significant economic and nutritional benefits that pollinators provide to smallholder farmers in Nepal, who often lack the flexibility to adapt their farming practices or diets in the face of pollinator declines. By quantifying these benefits, the researchers hope to generate the necessary political and public support for pollinator conservation, ultimately contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty alleviation, zero hunger, and improved nutrition.
Author credit: This article is based on research by Kedar Devkota, Charles Fernando dos Santos, Alice Borges Ferreira, Thomas Peter Timberlake.
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