Partner institution Wageningen University & Research (WUR) releases press statement on AGRI4POL project.
On 6 February 2025, AGRI4POL partner institution Wageningen University & Research (WUR) published a press release highlighting their contribution to AGRI4POL project. It outlines how scientists from 13 countries are collaborating on a new approach to counter pollinator decline. The press release states that, unlike conventional agri-environmental approaches, AGRI4POL focuses on improving the attractiveness of crops themselves to pollinators.
“In doing so, we aim for a win-win situation for both farmers and insects,” said Andries Temme, research associate at WUR.
The release emphasises that eighty per cent of agricultural crops and one-third of production depend on pollinating insects, yet plant breeders have often overlooked how attractive flowers are to pollinators.
Researchers from WUR, together with French colleagues, are studying different varieties of sunflowers and field beans, using cameras and artificial intelligence to monitor insect visits and explore different factors. The goal is to identify and improve traits in crop varieties that make them more appealing to pollinators, supporting both biodiversity and agricultural productivity.
Wageningen University & Research is involved in two key work packages (WP) of the AGRI4POL project:
- WP2: Genetics of crop floral traits governing pollinator attraction: future pollinator-smart crops.
- WP3: Management options to enhance pollinator benefits on farms.
Read the full press release here.
To find out more about WUR’s role in AGRI4POL, visit the project’s partners page.
