How do bees contribute to agriculture?

Bees play a crucial role in agriculture primarily through the process of pollination. When bees visit flowers to collect nectar and pollen, they transfer pollen from one flower to another, facilitating the fertilization process necessary for plants to produce fruits, seeds, and vegetables. This pollination is essential for many crops, including fruits, nuts, and vegetables, significantly enhancing crop yields and quality.

While bees also provide honey, promote soil health indirectly through their activities, and play a role in nectar extraction, these functions are not as fundamental to agricultural production as pollination. The direct impact of pollination on food production at both the commercial and backyard gardening levels underscores the importance of bees in sustaining healthy ecosystems and a stable food supply.