Can a small stingless bee colony placed beside your farm really change your coffee harvest? According to the latest 2026 research, yes – and the numbers are striking.
What did the study find?
On 12 May 2026, researchers at Embrapa Meio Ambiente (Brazil), led by first author Jenifer Ramos and coordinated by Cristiano Menezes, published results in Frontiers in Bee Science on using the stingless bee Scaptotrigona depilis to pollinate Arabica coffee.
Coffee yields on branches close to the colonies rose by up to 67%.
Suggested density: about 10 colonies per hectare.
The effect was strongest near the hives – so colony placement matters.
Why are stingless bees ideal pollinators?
Stingless bees are gentle, do not sting, stay active year-round and forage within a short radius. This "stay close to home" behavior means they cover the flowers in your orchard instead of flying far away. They are also safe for farms where people work daily, including families with children.
How can Vietnamese growers apply this?
The species studied is native to South America; Vietnamese stingless bees belong to genera such as Tetragonula and Lepidotrigona. The 67% figure cannot be copied directly, but the principles apply:
Spread colonies evenly across the orchard so every branch is near a hive.
Introduce bees before flowering so colonies settle and learn their flight paths.
Minimize pesticide spraying during flowering; if unavoidable, spray in the evening and cover the hives.
Plant supporting flowers (shrubs, fruit and shade trees) so bees have food outside the coffee season.
A double benefit: higher yields plus honey
With an integrated farming + stingless beekeeping model, growers improve fruit set and also harvest high-value stingless bee honey. This is exactly the approach Đất Rồng Stingless Bee Farm is building with farm owners: forage planning, smart colony placement and guaranteed off-take.
Reference: Ramos J., Menezes C. et al., Frontiers in Bee Science (May 2026).