Introduction:

Brinjal or eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is one of the most widely cultivated vegetable crops in India and plays an important role in household nutrition, local vegetable markets, and farmers’ livelihoods. In many parts of India, brinjal cultivation supports small and marginal farmers through year–round production and steady market demand. Yet, one important factor often overlooked in brinjal cultivation is pollination. While fertilisers, irrigation, and pest management receive majority of the attention, pollinators quietly contribute to fruit development and crop productivity

A recent study conducted on farmers’ fields highlighted how managed pollination can significantly improve the yield and fruit quality of brinjal crop. The study compared the effect of Indian honey bee Apis cerana indica and Stingless bee (Tetragonula sp.), and pollinator exclusion control conditions on the fruit set and crop performance under field conditions.

Pollination is a natural biological process that directly influences fruit formation and crop productivity. Insect pollinators transfer pollen from the male parts of a flower to the female reproductive structures, thereby improving fertilisation efficiency and fruit development. Although brinjal flowers possess the ability for self-pollination, insect visitation significantly enhances pollen movement, fruit set, and seed development, thereby improving yield stability and marketable produce in many horticultural crops (Klein et al., 2007; Free, 1993).

In recent decades, pollinator populations have declined globally because of habitat destruction, excessive pesticide use, agricultural intensification, and climate-related disturbances (Potts et al., 2010). This decline has raised concerns about food security and agricultural sustainability. As a result, researchers and farmers are increasingly exploring managed pollination systems involving honey bees and stingless bees to improve crop productivity while supporting biodiversity conservation. A study conducted at a farmer’s field evaluated the influence of managed pollination on brinjal yield and fruit quality. The findings demonstrated that managed pollinators, particularly stingless bees, can substantially improve fruit set and crop performance in brinjal cultivation.

Importance of Pollinators in Brinjal Cultivation:

Brinjal flowers are structurally adapted to benefit from insect visitation. The anther tube in the brinjal flower is compact, and pollen is released more effectively through vibrations produced by visiting bees, and pollen is efficiently dislodged during bee visitation and buzzing behaviour. When bees visit flowers in search of nectar or pollen, they facilitate pollen transfer between flowers, thereby improving fertilisation efficiency. Better pollination generally leads to increased fruit set, reduced flower bloom abortion, improved fruit size and weight, enhanced seed formation, better fruit shape and quality. Previous studies have shown that bee pollination significantly improves reproductive success in vegetable crops, especially in tropical agroecosystems where pollinator diversity is relatively high (Garibaldi et al., 2013).

Despite their ecological importance, pollinators are often negatively affected by intensive farming practices. Broad-spectrum insecticides, removal of flowering vegetation, and habitat fragmentation reduce nesting and foraging opportunities for bees. Sustainable agricultural systems, therefore, require farming practices that conserve and support pollinator populations.

Experimental Design:

The investigation was conducted on the fields of three farmers. Irrigated field locations represent typical vegetable-growing regions characterised by tropical semi-arid climatic conditions, moderate rainfall, and mixed farming systems.

Three pollination treatments were evaluated: treatments involving Apis cerana indica, Stingless bees’ pollination, and a control treatment (Pollinators exclusion). Flowers under each treatment were tagged, and precautions taken to prevent any further interaction of pollinators. Flowers assigned to the control treatment were covered using pollination exclusion cages to prevent insect visitation. Flowers blooming on the same day were selected and tagged. Managed bee colonies were placed near experimental plots to encourage active pollination. Observations included fruit set percentage, tagged fruit/flower abortion, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight, pest infestation, fruit abnormalities.

Figure 1. Experimental brinjal field showing tagged flowers under different managed pollination treatments.

Results

The study revealed that stingless bee pollination produced superior yield and quality parameter results compared to Apis cerana indica pollination and pollinator-excluded control treatments.

Table1.  Effect of different pollination treatments involving Apis cerana indica, stingless bees, and pollinator-exclusion control on fruit set, fruit abortion, and average fruit weight of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

Percentage increase compared with control:

Figure 2. Percentage increase in fruit set, fruit weight, and reduction in flower/fruit bloom abortion under stingless bee and Apis cerana indica pollination treatments, compared with pollinator-exclusion control in brinjal (Solanum melongena L).

Major Observations:

A total of 108 flowers were tagged, of which 73 successfully developed into fruits. Higher fruit set was recorded under stingless bee pollination treatments, total flowers tagged, and fruit set. Fruit abortion was lowest in both bee-pollinated flowers. Apis cerana indica also improved fruit set, compared to control treatments. Pollinated plants produced larger and heavier fruits. Control treatments showed comparatively poor fruit development.

Figure 3. Average fruit weight of brinjal under different pollination treatments.

Why stingless bees are emerging as important pollinators?

Stingless bees are increasingly recognised as efficient pollinators in tropical agriculture. Unlike larger honey bees, stingless bees are well adapted to warm and humid climatic conditions and can forage continuously throughout the day. Several characteristics make them suitable for vegetable pollination such as non-aggressive behaviour, continuous flower visitation, and longer interaction with flowers, and adaptability to tropical agroecosystems. Their role is particularly valuable in smallholder farming systems where maintaining ecological balance is essential for sustainable crop production. Studies conducted in tropical regions have also reported improved fruit development under stingless bee pollination (Abrol, 2012).

Figure 4. A stingless bee visiting a brinjal flower during active pollen collection.

Pollinator-Friendly farming and Sustainable Agriculture:

The findings of this study demonstrate that pollinator conservation is not merely an environmental concern but also an economically beneficial farming strategy. Pollinator-friendly farming can improve crop productivity, fruit quality, farm income, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem stability. Farmers can encourage pollinator populations by adopting simple ecological practices such as reducing unnecessary pesticide application during flowering period, conserving flowering plants around farms, maintaining natural nesting habitats and integrating managed bee colonies into cropping systems. Such approaches contribute to ecological intensification, where natural ecosystem services improve agricultural productivity sustainably.

The field study demonstrated the significant role of managed pollinators in improving brinjal yield and fruit quality under real farming conditions. Among the treatments evaluated, stingless bee pollination produced the highest fruit set, lowest abortion percentage, and maximum fruit weight. The findings highlight the growing importance of integrating pollinator management into vegetable farming systems. As agricultural sustainability becomes increasingly important, managed pollination offers a practical and eco-friendly approach for enhancing crop productivity while conserving biodiversity.

Supporting pollinators ultimately benefit ecosystem as well as farmers. By protecting and promoting pollinator diversity, farming communities can achieve better yields, improved fruit quality, and more resilient agricultural systems.

References:

2010. Abrol, D.P. Pollination Biology. Springer.
2011. Free, J.B. Insect Pollination of Crops. Academic Press.
2012. Garibaldi, L.A. et al. Wild pollinators enhance fruit set regardless of honey bee abundance. Science, 339, 1608-1611.
2013. Klein et al. Importance of pollinators in changing landscapes for world crops. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 274,303-313.
2014. Potts, S.G. et al. Global Pollinator Declines: trends, impacts and drivers. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 25, 345-353.

Co-authors: Arun Shankar, Sadashiv Nimbalkar

Millet is an ancient and climate change-resistant crop. It is a practical solution for climate crisis because it requires minimal watering, grows well in less fertile soils and can tolerate extreme heat. It has the ability to replace resource-consuming crops, reduce emissions, counter food insecurity and promote sustainable farming.

Today, climate change has become a global crisis. The weather is no longer reliable. Sometimes, the heat is intense, sometimes there is unseasonal rains, and along with these complexities, there is rapid depletion of the groundwater level. Somewhere, the rivers are drying up, somewhere, they are flooding. Due to this, the soil fertility is also decreasing. The most direct and worst impact of all these phenomenon is on agriculture and farmers.

Somewhere along the way, we have abandoned cultivation of our old and traditional ‘coarse grains’ (now referred to as ‘Shree Anna’ or ‘Millets’) and are engaged in the cultivation of wheat and paddy (rice). But the truth is that these crops need a lot of water, good fertiliser and plenty of care. When there is less rain or drought, these crops are ruined. As water-intensive crops like paddy and wheat succumb to the ravages of the weather, an old and traditional alternative has emerged as a new hope – ‘millets’.

Coarse grains like jowar, bajra, ragi, kodo and kutki not only nourish our plate but are also an infallible natural solution to save the deteriorating environment. Let us understand how millets are proving to be a game-changer in this era of climate crisis. After the Green Revolution, our agricultural system became mainly dependent on wheat and paddy. These crops ensured our food security, but also came at a heavy environmental cost.

Growing a crop like paddy requires a lot of water. According to an estimate, it takes about 3,000 to 5,000 litres of water to produce a kilo of rice. Today, when many parts of the country are facing severe drought and shrinking groundwater level, relying on such crops is a warning bell. This is where the importance of millets comes into play.

What are Millets?

Millets are small-grained coarse grains called ‘Shree Anna’ in India.

Major Millets: Bajra, Jowar, Ragi, Kodo, Kutki, Sawa, Chena, Kangni

Major Millet-Producing States in India: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh

Why are millets ‘climate-smart’?

Millets  are called the ‘food of the future’, and there are solid scientific and environmental reasons behind it:

•  Very low water consumption: While crops like rice and sugarcane require water in the fields, jowar, bajra and ragi are rain-fed crops. It takes only 250 to 300  litres of water to grow one kilo of coarse grain which is almost 10 times less than paddy! This is no less than a boon for areas with less rainfall or drought.
• Amazing ability to withstand temperature: Heatwave due to global warming are now common. Wheat grains shrink in rising temperatures, but millets can easily withstand temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius. They  are called ‘hard crops’ which do not deceive the farmer even in bad weather.
• Low carbon footprint: Paddy fields emit huge amounts of dangerous greenhouse gases like methane which increases global warming. In contrast, the emission of greenhouse gases in the cultivation of millets is negligible.
• Freedom from chemical fertilisers: Millets require neither expensive chemical fertilisers like urea nor toxic pesticides for their growth. They are naturally insect-resistant. This not only saves the fertility of the soil, but also prevents poisonous chemicals in the environment.

A Safety Net for Farmers’ Livelihoods

Climate change has made farming a risky deal. Sometimes floods and sometimes droughts  destroy the entire crop of the farmer. Millets reduce this risk.

These crops ripen in a short time (about 60 to 90 days). They give good production even in barren and less fertile soils. Since these are low costs (saving on seeds, fertilisers and water), the farmer does not fall into a huge debt trap even in the event of crop failure. Millets act  as a kind of ‘natural insurance’  for small and marginal farmers.

Steps towards change

The Government of India has given millets  a new identity on the  global stage by naming it  ‘Shree Anna‘. Today, the health conscious section living in the cities is adopting ragi biscuits, jowar roti and bajra noodles. But this demand should not be limited to just ‘diet trends’. It should be seen as a movement for environmental protection.

Food, forests, water, and livelihoods were once woven together. The story of how three clusters in Maharashtra are restoring that connection, carries lessons far beyond the Western Ghats.

When a Connected System Begins to Fall Apart

For generations, farming families in Akole lived in rhythm with the forests, slopes, and seasonal rains of the Western Ghats.

Fields were small but diverse. Millets, pulses, oilseeds, dozens of rice varieties, and fruit trees shaped what was grown and what was eaten. Forests offered wild foods, fodder, and medicine. Communities held knowledge of seeds, soils, seasons, and wild plants refined over centuries.

Over time, economic pressures and climate stress shifted the balance. Paddy replaced diversity. Forests thinned. Soils eroded on the steep slopes. Once the cropping season ended, 42% of households sought casual labour opportunities, and 28% moved to nearby towns for daily wages. Soil, water, biodiversity, energy, and nutrition, once held together as a system, had gradually come apart.

The story unfolds across three clusters in Maharashtra, each with its own character: Akole’s hilly agroforestry terrain, Igatpuri’s forest-fringe farming systems, and Shahada’s tribal, water-stressed landscapes. Together, they reflect challenges that smallholder communities face across the world, which is what makes this work significant beyond the Western Ghats.

What the landscape held

Beneath the visible strain, three things remained intact: deep indigenous knowledge held by women and elders, strong community institutions, and remarkable biological richness in seeds, soils, and forests. These became the foundation the recovery was built on.

Science and communities, working at the scale of a landscape

The CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes (MFL) Programme is built on the principle that agriculture, biodiversity, water, livelihoods, and climate resilience are most effectively addressed together, across an entire landscape, rather than sector by sector. In Maharashtra, this programme builds on the earlier Nature-Positive Solutions (NPS) initiative operated from 2022 to 2024, integrating it with the learnings from Agroecology Initiative.

The three Maharashtra clusters were chosen thoughtfully, each representing a distinct agroecological reality, together forming a living laboratory for integrated, nature-positive approaches that can inform practice well beyond this region.

The partnership runs deep, from global research centres to village institutions. CGIAR centres, including the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), anchor the global research framework. National institutions including ICAR-NIASM, MPKV, and NBPGR bring domain expertise. State agencies, civil society organisations, and communities themselves shape what that science looks like on the ground.

Where Research Meets the Field: BAIF’s Role in the Programme

Founded in 1967, BAIF Development Research Foundation has built its work on a single, enduring idea: that sustainable livelihoods grow from communities, rooted in the land and knowledge they already possess. Today, BAIF reaches 4 million families in more than 100,000 villages of 18 states, with a multidisciplinary team of more than 7500 people.

In the MFL programme, BAIF functions as the key implementation partner, co-creating interventions with communities, generating field-based evidence, and connecting indigenous knowledge with scientific tools. BAIF’s approach is participatory at every stage: communities co-design what is tested on their land, evaluate what works on their own terms, and own what continues. Farmers are researchers. Women are conservationists. Elders are the knowledge archive.

Three threads, one landscape

The work spans three interconnected areas: agrobiodiversity, landscape restoration, and circular bioeconomy, each reinforcing the other.

Agrobiodiversity

Three community seed banks now conserve 125 indigenous crop landraces and 288 local cultivars across 1,550 farming households, held as living repositories of centuries of farmer selection. Through participatory varietal selection, 377 farmers evaluated 138 traditional varieties across 500 plots, ranking them by yield, climate resilience, fodder value, and taste. Eleven wild food and biodiversity festivals brought together 650 participants, reviving knowledge of more than 150 wild food crops and recipes that had faded from daily practice. Seeds of nutrient-rich vegetables reached 50 women-led self-help groups, bringing dietary diversity closer.

Landscape Restoration

Micro-watersheds became the entry point. In two pilot watersheds in Akole, covering 200 hectares, soil and water conservation planning was co-designed with farmers and research partners. Within a year of intervention, the pilot watersheds recorded an 18% reduction in soil loss, a 21% decline in carbon loss, and improved water infiltration even under higher rainfall. Farm ponds extended water availability through dry months. On community lands in Shahada, 18,200 saplings and 6,000 seeds were planted across 19 hectares through convergence. Agroforestry systems combining fruit trees, fodder grasses, and bamboo stabilised slopes and reduced pressure on forests. Twenty-four farming families introduced bee hives, flower strips, and nectar-rich crops, rebuilding pollinator habitats and natural pest control, restoring local ecosystem services.

Circular Bioeconomy

Firewood dependence had long connected energy, forest pressure, and women’s drudgery in a single knot. Household biogas units now provide clean cooking energy equivalent to 12 LPG cylinders or 2.6 tonnes of firewood per year, while producing organic manure for fields. A school-level unit at an Adivasi residential school in Akole converts 30 kg of food waste daily into cooking fuel. In Shahada, a community biochar unit managed by a Farmer Producer Company converts cotton stalk residues into soil-enhancing inputs and biochar-based value-added products, with 32 farmers trained in production, value addition and enterprise management. The Circular Bioeconomy Innovation Hub platform, inaugurated in 2023 with its physical secretariat at BAIF’s Central Research Station, brings together partners to scale circular bio economy-based innovations and builds enterprise skills among women and youth. The Circular Bio Economy Innovation Challenge organised for startups, provided a platform for innovators to present their ideas and upscale their innovations to business models.

2
Innovation challenges conducted
475+
people trained
10+
Innovation Hub partners

When Everything Connects: Farms, Forests and Families Rebuild Together

Mandabai, Akole cluster

Smallholder farmer: 7.5 acres

When farm pond development and solar irrigation improved water availability on her land, Mandabai moved beyond a single cropping season for the first time. Vegetables joined the staple crops. Then followed strawberries, which she independently expanded the following season, because the economics worked. A household biogas unit replaced firewood collection. The organic slurry feeds her fields. The kitchen is cleaner. The workload has shifted. Her farm now offers work through the year, and the family stayed together. Mandabai’s is one of many stories across the clusters where water, nutrition, energy, and markets have come together in a single family’s life, each intervention reinforcing the next.

Across the clusters, the gains are visible across every dimension the programme set out to strengthen. Fields are more diverse, with farmer-to-farmer seed exchange active again at the grassroots level. Diets are richer, as wild foods return to kitchen tables and kitchen gardens supply vegetables through lean seasons. Households that once spent hours collecting firewood now cook on clean energy, with the slurry from biogas units feeding back into their soils. Watersheds hold soil longer. Pollinators are returning. Young farmers talk about experimentation, not exit.

Women have been central to this rebuilding, leading seed systems, documenting wild foods, managing community nurseries, and driving biodiversity festivals that have become spaces for intergenerational knowledge exchange. Youth have engaged in mango variety documentation, participated in crowdsourced varietal trials, and taken up biochar enterprise development. Market linkages have strengthened alongside this community action. At Bhimthadi Jatra and similar platforms, Farmer Producer Organisation members have showcased and sold native rice and millet varieties directly to urban consumers, testing demand, refining branding and packaging, and building evidence that traditional grains have a market well beyond the village

Building landscapes that hold

Across Akole, Igatpuri, and Shahada, the shift is sustained and runs deep. What has taken root here grew from cocreation — communities and researchers designing, testing, and evaluating solutions together, with ownership resting where it belongs: with the people on the land.

The gains span all three dimensions the programme set out to strengthen. Ecologically, soils are healthier, watersheds more resilient, and biodiversity more actively conserved. Socially, women lead, youth innovate, and indigenous knowledge is being documented and passed on. Economically, diversified farms, clean energy, and emerging market pathways for traditional crops are reducing dependence on a single season and a single income source.

From Maharashtra to a global evidence base

The evidence generated in these three clusters, on soil health, participatory varietal selection, watershed management, and circular bioeconomy models, feeds directly into CGIAR’s broader MFL Programme. Maharashtra’s clusters inform integrated landscape approaches in rainfed smallholder contexts across South Asia and beyond..

Challenges of climate variability, market access, and livelihood security are real and ongoing. And the programme continues to generate the evidence, build the institutions, and strengthen the community capacity to meet them, season by season, village by village.

Read the full Impact Report

The BAIF Impact Report on Advancing Multifunctional Landscapes documents the evidence, methods, and people behind this work in detail.

Access the Impact Report

A practical guide to habitat creation, artificial nesting, and conservation management

When most people hear the word “bee”, the picture that comes to their mind is honeybees in wooden boxes arranged neatly along bunds and boundaries. While this is a familiar sight, this image represents only a small fraction of bee diversity. A much larger and often unnoticed community lives quietly below the surface of the soil. These are solitary and efficient ground–nesting bees who are deeply connected to the health ecosystem.

Across farms, orchards, forest boundaries and village landscapes in India, these ground-nesting bees play a crucial role in pollination. Yet, they remain largely unrecognised because their nests are underground. Unlike honeybees or bumblebees, they do not form colonies or produce honey. Each female works independently, constructing her own nest, gathering food, and ensuring the survival of her offspring. Their lives are simple, but their ecological contribution is far-reaching.

Recognising these bees begins with observing some minute details. Tiny holes in the soil, often surrounded by loose particles, mark the entrances to their nests. Bees may be seen flying low over the ground, pausing and hovering as they assess suitable nesting sites. In undisturbed, sunlight areas, multiple nests may occur together, forming quiet aggregations that signal a healthy habitat.

Ground-nesting bees include diverse groups such as mining bees and sweat bees, among others. Their nesting process is remarkably systematic. A female excavates a narrow tunnel that branches into small chambers. Each chamber is provisioned with pollen and nectar, forming a food reserve for the developing larva. After laying a single egg, she seals the chamber and repeats the process. There is no cooperation or division of labour, just consistent individual effort driven by instinct.

In some species however, males are often seen guarding the entrance of the nest, while the female forages for nectar and pollen for the developing young. The male usually remains inside near the entrance, camouflaged as a small stone or soil particle in the soil. If he senses danger or disturbance near the nest, he may temporarily prevent the female from entering until the surroundings are safe. Once the threat passes, the female is allowed to enter the nest and continue provisioning activities.

Despite their ecological importance, these bees are often misunderstood. In reality, they are gentle, as they have no hive to defend. Their activity is closely linked to seasonal flowering and soil conditions, making them sensitive indicators of environmental change. In places where they thrive, the soil is usually well-drained, biologically active, and relatively undisturbed.

Their contribution to ecosystems and agriculture is significant. Many ground–nesting bees are highly effective pollinators, sometimes outperforming managed species for certain crops due to their foraging behaviour and body structure. They support fruit set and seed production in crops such as pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, and fruit trees. At a broader level, their presence enhances biodiversity and strengthens ecosystem resilience (Klein et al. 2007; Ollerton et al., 2011).

One of the most encouraging aspects of these bees is that their conservation does not require expensive infrastructure. A simple and effective method involves creating artificial nesting habitats using soil-filled pots. This approach is practical, low-cost, and adaptable to farms, institutions, and even small home gardens.

This process begins with preparing a suitable soil mixture. A combination of 70% of red soil, 20% of well-decomposed compost and 10% of sand provides the right balance of structure and organic content. The soil should be firm enough to hold tunnels but loose enough for bees to excavate easily. Wide shallow posts work well, as they provide sufficient surface area for nesting.

Placement is equally important. Pots should be kept in the shade preferably semi-sunny areas as most ground-nesting bees prefer warmth and direct sunlight. Heavily shaded or waterlogged locations should be avoided. The surrounding area should remain relatively undisturbed to facilitate nesting activity.

Moisture management requires special care. The soil should be slightly moist but never wet. A gentle sprinkling of water is enough to maintain suitable conditions. Excess water can collapse tunnels and destroy brood development, making overwatering one of the most common and damaging mistakes. The key lies in moderation – small amounts applied carefully.

Nesting habitat alone is not sufficient; bees also need reliable food sources. Planting nectar- and pollen-rich species near the nesting area ensures continuous foraging opportunities. Crops such as mustard, sunflower, sesame, and pulses are excellent choices. An integrated approach works best. By combining nesting substrates with flowering plants in proximity, it is possible to create a self-sustaining microhabitat where bees can both nest and forage efficiently. Over time, such spaces can support a diverse and stable pollinator community.

Once established, the habitat begins to attract bees naturally. The process starts with exploration, followed by excavation, provisioning of chambers, egg laying, and sealing. As more bees adopt the site, multiple nests may develop within a single pot, forming small aggregations that indicate successful colonisation.

Long-term success depends on simple but consistent management. Disturbance should be minimised – soil should not be dug or frequently moved. Watering should remain gentle and controlled. The use of pesticides and herbicides near nesting areas must be avoided, as even low levels can harm bees. Occasional seasonal maintenance, such as refreshing soil, can be done carefully when nests are inactive.

These habitats can be easily integrated into different landscapes. On farms, they can be placed along field margins; in orchards, near flowering trees; and in home gardens, even a few pots can make a difference. They are also valuable in educational and research settings, offering opportunities to study pollinator behaviour and biodiversity.

It is important to avoid common mistakes such as overwatering, using compared or clay-heavy soil, or neglecting nearby floral resources. Small adjustment in these factors can significantly influence the success of the system. Beyond their ecological function, these habitats offer a chance to observe to connect with nature. Watching a bee emerge from a tiny hole, carry pollen, or hover over soil reveals a hidden world that often goes unnoticed. Documenting such observations can contribute to local biodiversity knowledge and inspire conservation efforts. Ground-nesting bees remind us that not every important ecological work is visible. They operate quietly, beneath our feet, sustaining pollination processes that support both natural ecosystems and agriculture. Their conservation does not require complex interactions – only awareness, a suitable habitat and a willingness to accommodate their needs.

Each pot prepared, is more than just soil. It is a living system, a refuge for pollinators, and a small but meaningful step toward ecological balance. In today’s times when natural habitat is under pressure, such simple actions can make a lasting difference.

Note: Students and Researchers with an aptitude for field work and with a keen interest in studying ground-nesting bees, are welcome to contact BAIF Central Research Station, Uruli Kanchan, Pune, Maharashtra, India by E-mail at crsbaif.baif.org.in.

References

2007. Klein, A.M., Vaissiere, B.E., Cane, J.H., Steffan-Dewenter, I., Cunningham, S.A., Kremen, C. and Tscharntke, T. Importance of Pollinators in changing landscapes for world crops. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 274, pp.303-313.

2011. Ollerton, J., Winfree, R. and Tarrant, S. How many flowering plants are pollinated by animals? Oikos, 120, pp.321-326.

 Vinod Borse, Dhananjay Jadhav, Deepak Patil and Sadashiv Nimbalkar

The legacy of BAIF’s work with rural women is not merely recorded in fiscal ledgers or annual reports. To recognise the achievement of a woman at BAIF is to acknowledge the profound silence she has finally managed to break.

For generations, the rural woman was someone who worked behind the scenes. She rose before the sun to fetch water several kilometres away, her spine curving under the weight of brass pots. She cooked over smoky fires that stung her eyes, and she tended to cattle that belonged to the household. She was the primary worker, yet she owned nothing—not the land she tilled, not the cow she milked, and often, not even the right to speak and utter her name in a village gathering.

The achievement of BAIF is the systematic dismantling of this invisibility. It began with the Wadi Programme. When BAIF insisted that the fruit orchards be registered in the names of both husband and wife, they weren’t just ensuring the sharing of property; they were restoring their dignity. This approach changed how her husband saw her, how her children saw her, and most importantly, how she saw herself.

There is a specific kind of music in a BAIF-transformed village. It is the sound of a woman’s voice—once a whisper—now leading a Self-Help Group (SHG) meeting. These women, who were once told they couldn’t understand “money matters,” now manage lakhs of rupees. They have become the bankers of their own destinies.

The emotional weight of this achievement is best seen in the “Digital Sakhis”, “eDosts” and the “Pashu Sakhis.” Picture a woman who was once confined to her courtyard, now walking through the village with a computer tablet in her hand or a veterinary kit slung over her shoulder. She is the one the village turns to when a cow is sick or when a pension needs to be withdrawn. She has moved from being a “dependent” to being a provider of solutions. The pride in her stride is an achievement that no graph can truly capture.

Perhaps the greatest achievement is the gift of time. By bringing water to the doorstep and smokeless stoves to the kitchen, BAIF didn’t just reduce “drudgery”—they gave women a priceless gift – their lives.

With couple of hours saved from fetching wood or water, a mother can finally sit with her children while they study. She can dream of a future where her children aren’t labourers, but doctors or teachers. The cycle of poverty is being broken not by charity, but by the resilience of women who finally have the tools to match their ambition.

The true achievement isn’t just the millions of trees planted or the thousands of crossbred cows reared. It is the demolition of fear. It is the sight of a woman standing tall in a Gram Sabha, looking into the eyes of village elders and speaking for the well-being of her community.

Today, the rural woman in BAIF is a “Change Agent”. She speaks with authority, leads with competence, and serves as the primary leader of rural progress. She is the soul of the village. When she earns, the money doesn’t go waste; it goes into milk for the toddler, books for the teenager, and medicine for the elder. She is the multiplier. The narrative has shifted from one of survival to one of aspiration. Starting with a few women, after four decades, more than 18 lakh rural women are associated with BAIF’s programmes spanning 10 states in the country. The numbers are growing.

This transition outlines the strategic shift from marginalisation to leadership, while highlighting BAIF’s role in fostering sustainable empowerment.