When he decided to establish stingless bee hives next to the plum orchard, in Ronda Alta, in the north of Rio Grande do Sul, rural producer Sandro André Marcon saw more than a production alternative. He found a way to improve plant pollination, increase productivity and create a new source of income for the property. "The potential of beekeeping is very great. Today it is an activity that generates income and adds value to the property", he says, proudly. Beekeeping became part of the property in September 2025. Currently, it brings together native species of bees such as mandaçaia, manduri, jataí and canudo. In addition to favoring the development of orchards and contributing to local biodiversity, bees also made it possible to start honey production, transforming beekeeping into a complementary activity to plum cultivation. "I treat beekeeping as a true form of business. My desire is for more producers to become interested in this segment, as the impact on properties is fantastic", highlights the beekeeper. Support to diversify the property To implement the new activity, Sandro accessed, through Cresol, the Safra Plan funding line. The resources enabled the acquisition of equipment and the implementation of the structure necessary for the development of the project. "The credit arrived at the right time and made it possible to make the necessary investment to start the activity. In addition to the resources, we had the support of the Cresol team to identify the most appropriate line of credit for our project", he states. For the agricultural manager of the Cresol agency in Ronda Alta, André Fossati, Sandro's experience demonstrates how the different credit lines of the Safra Plan can support production diversification projects and contribute to the strengthening of rural properties. "Sandro's case shows that the Safra Plan offers solutions for different profiles of producers and activities. By identifying the most appropriate line of credit, it was possible to integrate beekeeping with plum cultivation, adding a new source of income and increasing production efficiency", says the manager. According to Fossati, in addition to making credit available, Cresol acts in a consultative manner, guiding members in choosing the most appropriate line for each project. "Our objective is to understand the reality of each producer and present financial solutions that best meet the needs of the property, supporting investments that promote the development and diversification of rural production", he adds. Pollination strengthens production Pollination carried out by animals, including bees, has a strategic role for Brazilian agriculture. According to a study by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), in 2023, pollination contributed, on average, 16.14% of the value of agricultural production. In crops that include fruits such as plums, apples, oranges and coffee, this contribution reaches 38.7%, highlighting the importance of pollinators for productivity, fruit quality and biodiversity conservation. Special series Safra Plan Since 2003, the Safra Plan has been one of the main tools for encouraging the development of Brazilian agribusiness, with credit lines for funding, investment and modernization of rural properties. In this special series of reports on the Safra Plan, Cresol presents available financing modalities and shows how producers from different activities use these resources to strengthen their businesses, expand production and invest in the future. The articles will be published on Tuesdays, between the months of June and August. Read more With support from the Safra Plan, Cresol members strengthen cocoa production in Bahia Cresol exceeds R$ 16.8 billion in the Safra 25/26 Plan and projects a new positive cycle About Cresol With 31 years of history, more than 1 million members and 1,050 relationship agencies in Brazil, Cresol is one of the main cooperative financial institutions in the country. Focusing on personalized service, it provides financial solutions for individuals, companies and rural enterprises.