The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released a dedicated publication titled "Environmental Accounting Explainer Series: Pollination Services," the first of its kind to quantify the economic contribution of pollinators to India's agriculture.
Aligned with the UN System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) framework, the report reveals that the monetary value of pollination services accounted for 8–10% of India's total crop output value between 2012–13 and 2021–22. The economic contribution of these services saw a significant jump, rising from ₹115.41 thousand crore to ₹266.33 thousand crore over the decade. This valuation reflects growth in the recognition of ecological processes as vital economic drivers, supported by India's rich diversity of over 800 bee species and other pollinators like butterflies, birds, and bats.
Key Findings of the Pollination Services Publication
Economic Valuation (PVO): The Pollination-Attributed Value of Output (PVO) reached ₹266.33 thousand crore in 2021–22, highlighting the massive scale of this "invisible" ecosystem service.
Sectoral Leaders: Fruits and vegetables represent the largest share of total pollination value due to their high biological dependence and high market value.
High-Dependence Categories: Oilseeds (27–32% dependence) and fibres (22–23% dependence) consistently show the strongest and most stable pollination linkages.
Pollinator Diversity: India hosts 827 bee species, which contribute to the pollination of 108 food and cash crops; bees alone account for 73% of all pollinating insects.
Specific Crop Growth: Cumin recorded a PVO increase from ₹3.39 to ₹26.21 thousand crore, while Chillies grew from ₹2.80 to ₹28.09 thousand crore over the decade.
SEEA Integration: Pollination services are now recorded in Supply-Use Tables as ecosystem contributions, with cropland ecosystems identified as the primary suppliers.
What is the "Pollination-Attributed Value of Output" (PVO)? PVO is a monetary indicator that calculates the specific share of agricultural crop value that is directly attributable to animal-mediated pollination. It is determined by applying "Dependence Rates" (DR)—ranging from 0.00 (no dependence) to 0.95 (essential dependence)—to the total value of crop production. This method plays a role in making the economic significance of ecosystem services visible in national accounts. The PVO is supported by the goal of providing an evidence base for policy formulation, allowing the government to justify public spending on pollinator conservation as a direct investment in food security and agricultural GDP.
Policy Relevance: Anchoring Biodiversity in Agricultural Strategy
Strengthening Livelihood Missions: The high PVO provides a clear rationale for the National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM), which received a ₹500 crore allocation to support beekeeping and pollination.
Internalising Habitat Protection: Recognizing the 8–10% output contribution plays a role in justifying habitat restoration and afforestation programs like the Green India Mission (GIM) as essential for long-term production resilience.
Bypassing Statistical Gaps: Integrating these values into the SEEA framework contributes to more informed decision-making by balancing agricultural expansion with biodiversity conservation.
Supporting Sustainable Horticulture: The heavy dependence of fruits and vegetables on pollinators is supported by the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), which provides technical assistance for pollinator management.
Follow the Full Report Here: MoSPI: Environmental Accounting Explainer Series – Pollination Services (2026)
