Protection of pollinators and agroecological transition in the Pondicherry region (POLLIN)

Protection of pollinators and agroecological transition in the Pondicherry region

This pilot project funded by the CNRS interdisciplinary mission (MITI) is analysing along a rural-urban gradient in the Pondicherry region, t: 1) the pollination services offered to crops by two native honeybees (Apis cerena and the stingless Trigona) that show adaptive capacities to climate change, and 2) the knowledge and practices of beekeepers and farmers with regard to the relationships between pollinating insects and agrobiodiversity.

We are combining ecological, socio-economic and anthropological research in order to understand, measure and disseminate the contribution of pollination to agricultural yields, a step towards a resilient agro-ecological system.

Through pollen analysis in various sites we aim at identifying the plant species preferred by the bees in order to provide recommendation to gardeners, farmers and decision makers. A cultural challenge is that too often, bees are associated to honey production only, not to pollination; furthermore there is hardly any tradition of bee domestication in South India, since honey is used mostly for rituals or medicine only.

Interactions between ecologists/social science researchers and farmers/gardeners in order to understand their expectations, develop a model for observing pollinators in their agro-ecosystem and propose avenues for public policies have helped formulate this pilot project and provides a concrete scientific basis for the The science-society platform that already exists for a local food system in Pondicherry.

Contacts:

Hélène Guétat (Dept. of Social Sciences): helene.guetat@ifpindia.org

Anupama K. (Lab.anupama.k@ifpindia.org of Palynology) anupama.k@ifpindia.org