Every May 20, World Bee Day offers more than just a moment of appreciation for bees—it’s a call to action. These tiny pollinators are the unsung heroes behind much of the food we eat and the biodiversity we depend on. This year’s theme, “Bee Inspired by Nature to Nourish Us All,” invites us to look closer at the intricate natural systems that sustain us—from the richness of our soils to the quiet work of pollinators that keep ecosystems and crops alive.
At VALERECO, this mission resonates deeply with our work. Our project is committed to redefining the role of legumes in agriculture—not only as protein-rich crops but as keystones of biodiversity. By integrating legumes into farming systems, we support both agroecological transformation and the pollinators on which these systems depend.
The Legume–Pollinator Connection
Pollinators are essential to the reproduction of over 75% of the world’s flowering plants and 35% of global crop production. Bees, in particular, are responsible for pollinating a wide range of food crops—ensuring the availability of fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. Beyond food security, pollinators contribute to biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and landscape connectivity.
Legumes—such as clover, alfalfa, faba beans, lentils, and lupins—have much to offer pollinators. Their flowers are rich in nectar and pollen, providing vital food resources across different seasons. When cultivated in diverse systems or along field margins, legumes create habitats and feeding corridors that enhance pollinator abundance and diversity.
What’s more, legumes contribute to:
- Reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers thanks to nitrogen fixation
- Improving soil structure and microbial diversity
- Enhancing landscape-level ecological functions, especially when grown in rotation or intercropping systems
These synergies between legumes and pollinators create a virtuous cycle: healthier pollinator populations support legume reproduction, and legumes in turn help sustain pollinators, improving both biodiversity and productivity.
Yet, their survival is increasingly under threat from:
- Habitat fragmentation and monoculture farming
- Intensive pesticide use
- Climate change and extreme weather
- Pollution and the spread of invasive species
Without targeted action, these pressures will continue to erode pollinator populations, threatening food production and ecosystem health alike.
How VALERECO Supports Pollinators
VALERECO is working on valorising ecosystem services provided by legumes and fostering their integration into agricultural systems. Our goal is to build a biodiversity-anchored, EU-wide legume ecosystem—and pollinators are part of that vision.
Across our six Living Labs in Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Serbia, Spain, and Portugal, we are co-developing and testing legume-based systems that benefit farmers and ecosystems alike. Our approach includes:
- Promoting legume-rich rotations to reduce monocultures and diversify landscapes
- Incorporating flowering legumes to extend foraging seasons for bees and wild pollinators
- Collaborating with farmers and stakeholders to design pollinator-friendly cropping systems
- Assessing ecosystem services such as pollination through participatory evaluation
- Developing digital tools to support knowledge sharing and decision-making
Through these efforts, VALERECO contributes not only to sustainable agriculture but to the creation of more resilient, biodiverse rural environments.
What You Can Do: Practical Ways to Help Pollinators
On World Bee Day—and every day—you can make a difference for pollinators. Whether you’re a farmer, policymaker, or citizen, here’s how:
- Plant diverse, nectar-rich flowers, especially native species
- Avoid using chemical pesticides, especially during flowering periods
- Encourage legume cultivation in gardens, fields, or public spaces
- Support science and advocacy for pollinator-friendly policies
- Spread awareness about the importance of pollinators for food systems and biodiversity
Bees, Legumes, and a More Resilient Future
On this World Bee Day, we are reminded that resilience starts in the field—with flowering legumes, buzzing bees, and farming systems designed in harmony with nature. Through research, collaboration, and innovation, VALERECO is working to restore balance to European agriculture, placing biodiversity and ecosystem services at its core.
Because when we nourish the pollinators, they nourish us in return.
Comments are closed