Tree Planting to Boost Crop Yields by 20–40% via Bee Pollination: BARI DG

Bangladesh's sustainable tree-planting initiative will absorb atmospheric carbon, earn international carbon credits, and significantly boost domestic crop yields through enhanced bee pollination, stated Dr. Md. Manjurul Kadir, Director General of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI).

Inaugurating the "Tree Planting Program-2026" at the BARI headquarters on Thursday (July 02, 2026), Dr. Kadir highlighted the multi-layered ecological and economic benefits of the government's green initiative.

"Fostering natural habitats for bees and birds will drive up the production of local rice, mustard, sunflower, pulses, vegetables, and onion seeds by 20% to 40% due to efficient natural pollination," Dr. Kadir explained.

This year, BARI is operating under the theme: “Fighting Climate Change, Adaptation is the Best Achievement of Agricultural Scientists.” Moving away from traditional single-species monoculture, the institute launched the drive by planting a diverse mix of ornamental, spice, medicinal, and fruit-bearing trees specifically chosen to enrich local ecosystems.

Dr. Kadir emphasized that roughly one-third of global crops depend heavily on bee pollination. By establishing dedicated habitats, farmers can safeguard biodiversity while generating additional income from honey and wax extraction.

Addressing the escalating threat of global warming, the Director General called for a technological shift in local farming. "To effectively counter the rapid pace of climate change, we must integrate our conventional agricultural science with artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven technologies," he urged.

The inaugural event was attended by senior BARI officials, including Director of Training and Communication Dr. Reshma Sultana, Director of Research Dr. Faruk Ahmed, Director of Horticulture Dr. Kausar Uddin Ahmed, Director of Tuber Crops Dr. Nirmal Kumar Dutta, Director of Planning Dr. Habib Mohammad Naser, and Director of Services Dr. Md. Mosharraf Hossain Mollah, alongside department heads and scientific officers.