Project description:

The conservation, enhancement, and responsible use of pollinating insects is one of the key aspects of promoting biodiversity, which directly affects the quality and efficiency of farming. 

Due to a number of natural and anthropogenic factors, biodiversity degradation occurs, sometimes resulting in the complete loss of some species. The reduction in the natural ecosystems area has a negative impact on pollinating insects.

In 2019, Syngenta launched a project on the territory of Shyrokostup Farm to preserve the biodiversity of pollinating insects and entomophages. 

The main areas of the project included: 

1) Studying the biodiversity of model insect groups and recording their species composition and quantity. 

2) Creation of a microreserve to restore pollinators and maintain biodiversity. The microreserve significantly increases biodiversity and restores agricultural landscape ecosystems, which has a positive impact on crop yields. It preserves an important group of animals, especially needed for crops that require pollination.

The insects species composition was studied on the territory of the farm  and a microreserve containing 12 field houses with artificial nests for wild insects was established. At the beginning of the project, more than 300 species of pollinators and entomophages were identified, with special attention paid to solitary bees and bumblebees (the main pollinators). As a result, during the 1st year of the project solitary bees settled in the microreserve that contained pollen-nectar plants. A total of 1,000 female bumblebees were released into the field belts and 57 hives were installed. The created conditions contributed to the successful life cycle of insects. The species composition has increased significantly, and additional pollination has resulted in a +10% increase in farm sunflower yields.

Partners:

Kharkiv State Biotechnological University;  Shyrokostup Farm

Category: Planet

Company: Syngenta LLC

About the company: 

Syngenta is a global agtech leader that produces high-quality crop protection products and seeds for field and vegetable crops, providing farmers with innovative solutions to increase and improve the quality of crops, as a result of overcoming the challenges of climate change, biodiversity, and soil fertility. Having experienced over 22 years of operation in Ukraine, the company has built a close-knit and reliable team of agricultural experts.