Project integrates soybean farmers and beekeepers in the Pampa region of Rio Grande do Sul.

Although they may seem like completely different practices, agriculture and beekeeping can have a connection that benefits both activities, and BASF Agricultural Solutions is a major supporter of this idea. To promote this connection, the company develops projects that combine pollinator conservation with increased agricultural productivity. In the 2025/26 harvest, for example, the Coexistence between Agriculture and Beekeeping project is being carried out in soybean production areas in Rio Grande do Sul.

The first phase of the initiative will take place between November 2025 and April 2026 in the city of São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul. This first stage will involve 24 beekeepers and 6 soybean farmers as partners, who will receive training and technical support to ensure the successful integration of their activities. Embrapa Soja researcher Décio Gazzoni will monitor the initiative and provide specialized support to the producers.

The program aims to promote greater integration between activities. On one hand, soybean farmers make room in their fields for beehives. On the other, beekeepers produce high-quality honey from the soybean blossom. And everyone benefits from the possibility of increased productivity. Studies have already proven that soybean productivity can be, on average, 13% higher in the presence of bees around the crop. And the productivity of apiaries can even triple during soybean flowering.

This reality is confirmed in practice by beekeeper Aldo Machado, who achieved significant results by positioning his apiaries near soybean fields. “We had apiaries that produced more than 50 kg just during the soybean flowering season, which is double the national average. And it's a light, aromatic honey of excellent quality.” For him, the success of the integration between agriculture and beekeeping depends on dialogue and proper management.

"We believe that collaboration is key to overcoming the challenges of food production. This new project reinforces that commitment by uniting the production chain, connecting farmers and beekeepers to build a legacy of sustainability. Conserving bees is fundamental to the balance of nature and to more productive agriculture, ensuring food security in an increasingly responsible way," says José Eduardo Moraes, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Stewardship at BASF Agricultural Solutions in Latin America.

The project carried out with producers from Rio Grande do Sul is part of the Starting Ventures initiative, a global BASF program that supports innovative business models with a positive impact on society and the environment.

The commitment to sustainability extends even further with an environmental counterpart: for every kilogram of soy blossom honey produced by the partners, native tree seedlings will be planted. This action reinforces bee pasture, that is, the supply of food for bees, and also contributes to the reforestation strategy of the region.

"This initiative demonstrates in practice how it is possible to combine agricultural productivity and environmental conservation. By encouraging good practices in the field and dialogue among producers, we not only strengthen the local economy with honey production, but also generate a direct positive impact on biodiversity. It is a business model that generates value for farmers, the community, and the environment," adds Maurício do Carmo Fernandes, Stewardship and Sustainability Manager at BASF Agricultural Solutions.

Guide to best practices

And this concern for the harmonious coexistence between bees and agriculture is not new. In partnership with Embrapa and the National Rural Learning Service (Senar), a booklet entitled "Good Practices for Integrating Beekeeping and Soybean Farming" was produced. This guide is the result of an extensive project conducted over three harvests to validate in the field the best practices so that soybean and honey production could go hand in hand.

Initiatives such as the booklet and the Coexistence between Agriculture and Beekeeping project reinforce BASF Agricultural Solutions' vision that it is possible to combine high productivity in the field with the protection of biodiversity. These are actions that connect innovation, customers, and society, building a legacy of sustainability and generating value for the entire agribusiness chain. The booklet is available for free download on the Senar website (https://ead.senar.org.br/senar-play/).