That is not totally correct. The vast majority of agricultural crops are pollinated by the wind (grains) and some are self pollinated and really dont need even that (cotton, soybeans, peanuts). The only roll bees play in these crops are cross pollination, which mixes up the gene pool, but farmers save very little of their own planting seed any more so there is no real benefit. Just drive out in farm country and you may drive for miles with out seeing a hive. However some vegetable crops do need bees for pollination (melons, tomatoes), but there are many wild species of bees that usually take care of the job nicely. Honey bee hives today are mainly there just to produce honey. By the way I love honey so I still want to protect them.
I am not sure of the breakdown, but bee keepers are in very high demand and have been for years, especially in the south, and it has nothing to do with honey which is a byproduct. The bees are leased by ranches and farms, and it's a big deal down in these parts.