MANAGED BEE POLLINATION – A KEY PREREQUISITE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GREEN AGRICULTURE IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article examines managed bee pollination as a key agrotechnical tool with both ecological and economic rationale, offering significant potential for ensuring the sustainable development of Ukraine’s agricultural sector amid global challenges and the increasing demands of the European Green Deal. It substantiates that the targeted use of honey bees for pollinating entomophilous crops contributes to increased yields, reduced dependence on chemical plant protection products, biodiversity conservation, and enhanced resilience of agroecosystems. The study employs an interdisciplinary approach, encompassing analysis of scientific literature, statistical data, as well as practical case studies and educational initiatives. It reviews global and national experiences in organizing bee pollination, particularly its application in crop production technologies for such crops as sunflower and rapeseed. The main barriers to the wider adoption of bee pollination in Ukraine are identified: low awareness among farmers about the economic benefits of pollination, weak communication between agricultural producers and beekeepers, lack of regulatory frameworks, and absence of certification mechanisms for pollination services. The article presents the example of the BeesAgro online platform, which provides methodological, legal, and digital support to pollination market participants. It also describes the experience of implementing the academic course “Managed Bee Pollination” at Polissia National University as a tool for developing the environmental competence of agricultural specialists. The study emphasizes that the implementation of a managed pollination system aligns with the key objectives of the European Green Deal: reduction of pesticide use, development of organic farming, minimization of environmental impact, and achievement of climate neutrality. It concludes that managed bee pollination is a promising direction of innovative agricultural policy, integrated with the goals of sustainable development and Ukraine’s European integration.