Utilization of the Stingless Bee (Trigona sp.) as a Natural Pollinator in Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) Agroforestry Program of PT Pertamina EP Sangatta Field, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) is an agroforestry commodity that provides ecological services, such as carbon uptake, erosion control, and habitat provision. However, its small, densely clustered flowers limit effective pollination by wild insects, so seed set and latex productivity often remain below their potential levels. This study reports a biodiversity conservation program carried out by PT Pertamina EP Sangatta Field, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, which introduced stingless bee (Trigona sp.) colonies in collaboration with partner farmer group, Trigona Reborn Group, as a natural pollinator for rubber trees grown under an agroforestry system together with citrus, mango, and papaya as companion crops. A suction-based honey-harvesting tool (Bee-Sap) was introduced to collect honey without damaging the comb, thereby allowing the colony to function as a pollinator. Monitoring conducted from January to June 2025 recorded the conservation of 250 rubber trees, an estimated colony population of 13,000 Trigona sp. individuals, and a program biodiversity index (H') of 0.90. The results indicate that the small body size and floral constancy behavior of Trigona sp. allow it to effectively reach the small rubber flowers, supporting cross-pollination, while the partnership also provides an additional income source for the farmer group through honey and propolis production.