The importance of pollination
Pollination is the process of transferring pollen from one flower to another, which is essential for the reproduction and survival of many plants. Pollination also affects the quality and quantity of fruits and seeds that humans consume. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), three out of every four crops grown around the world to produce fruits or seeds for human consumption are reliant, at least in part, on pollinators.
Bees are the most important pollinators, as they visit a large number of flowers and carry a lot of pollen on their bodies. There are more than 20,000 different wild bee species, such as bumble bees, and also farmed honeybees that are managed by beekeepers. In the US, bees of all sorts are said to account for 75% of the pollination of the fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in the country. It is a similar percentage in Europe, with other insects, such as wasps and butterflies, making up the remaining quarter.
The threats to bees
Unfortunately for farmers, bee populations are under pressure, due to factors such as climate change, habitat loss and the use of pesticides. The European honeybee is also being badly affected by a parasitic mite called varroa destructor, which weakens their immune system and makes them more susceptible to diseases.
The decline of bees has serious implications for food security and biodiversity, as well as for the livelihoods of millions of farmers who depend on them for pollination services. According to a study by researchers from the University of Reading and the University of East Anglia, the global economic value of pollination services provided by insects was estimated at $215 billion in 2005. This figure is likely to have increased since then, as the demand for pollinated crops has grown.
The tech solutions
To cope with the challenge of pollination in a world with fewer bees, some farmers and entrepreneurs are turning to technology as an alternative or a supplement. One example is BloomX, an Israeli firm that has developed a way to mechanically pollinate crops in a similar way to bees. The company’s founder, Thai Sade, says that they are not replacing bees, but rather offering more efficient pollinating methods to farmers, and reducing the dependence on commercial honeybees.
BloomX’s technology is currently aimed at two crops – blueberries and avocados – and allows them to be pollinated even if local bee numbers are very low. The firm’s main product is called “Robee”, which at first glance looks like a large push-along lawnmower. It has two mechanical arms that stick out either side. These vibrate, and when brushed over blueberry plants, they cause them to release their pollen. The level of vibration is said to have been designed to imitate that of bumble bees – the most effective pollinators of blueberries – which use their wings to agitate the flowers.
BloomX’s other product is “Crossbee”, a handheld tool for collecting and spreading sticky pollen grains between avocado trees. To date, the equipment is being used in South America, South Africa, Spain, the US and Israel, and BloomX says it can increase fruit yields by 30%.
Both products are controlled by an AI-based software system linked to a mobile phone app, and each is fitted with a GPS tool so that farm workers know which areas of a field have been treated. Sensors can also be put in place so that the pollination takes place on the optimum days.
The future of tech-assisted pollination
BloomX is not the only company that is exploring the potential of tech-assisted pollination. In China, where some farmers have resorted to hand-pollinating their crops due to the scarcity of bees, researchers from Tsinghua University have developed tiny drones that can mimic bee behaviour. The drones are equipped with cameras and sensors that allow them to detect flowers and land on them. They also have a sticky gel on their underside that can pick up and release pollen grains.
In Japan, scientists from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) have created robotic butterflies that can fly autonomously and pollinate flowers. The robots have wings made of thin solar cells that power their flight and sensors that enable them to avoid obstacles. They also have artificial hairs on their bodies that can collect pollen from one flower and transfer it to another.
These examples show that technology can offer some solutions for farmers who face challenges with pollination due to the decline of bees. However, experts warn that technology cannot fully replace the role of natural pollinators, which provide many benefits for ecosystems and biodiversity. Therefore, they urge for more efforts to protect and restore bee populations, as well as to promote sustainable farming practices that reduce the use of pesticides and enhance the habitat for pollinators.
