By Mark Looker
(Published: Tuesday, March 16, 1999, Modesto Bee)
The debate over the use of pesticides in agricultural production often carries an emotional tone. That is why it was refreshing to see a recent Modesto Bee community columnist state "we are in urgent need of research on alternative means of pest-control" ""Perilous pesticides," Jill Jepson, Opinions, Feb. 19).
A science-based approach on the issue of potential alternatives to pesticide use is the basis for three demonstration projects being carried out statewide by a unique coalition of almond industry organizations. Funded by a $99,000 grant from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR), the almond Pest Management Alliance (PMA) is a historic effort to work cooperatively on finding viable alternatives to traditional pesticide use.
The mission of the almond alliance is to "promote a reduced risk system of almond production through the use of alternative products, actual on-site demonstrations and grower education."
The alliance consists of the Almond Board of California, the Almond Hullers and Processors Association, the UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Project and the Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
Together, these groups are working on a regional basis to address the important pest management issues facing the state's 7,000 almond growers who utilized more than 400,000 acres to produce a crop worth $1 billion in 1997.
Almond growers are faced with many pests and diseases that threatentheir ability to produce an economical crop. Finding alternative methods to controlling those diseases and pests while maintaining a balance between environmental concerns and economic necessity is the daunting challenge facing these demonstration projects.
This project recognizes that what may be a critical pest of concern to Stanislaus County growers is not as important to a grower in Kern County. The almond alliance consists of three orchard demonstration sites in the counties of Butte, Kern and Stanislaus.
This regional approach allows for various orchard conditions. Those variables include different soil types, watering methods, microclimates, and pest and disease pressures. A common thread running through all the projects is the focus on looking at current grower practices vs. "alternative" practices. All of the orchard sites are divided between treatments that are considered "conventional" and those considered "alternative." Just what constitutes a "conventional" vs..an "alternative" treatment is the topic for spirited debate among independent-minded growers. But, in the long run, it is a debate that will help the industry come to terms with the public's concern about pesticide use by farmers.
It isn't just urban audiences who are concerned over pesticide use. Grower interest in this research is readily apparent. Three field days on dormant spray alternatives sponsored by the pest management alliance in December drew more than 300 participants.
Research is critical in the debate over the use of pesticides. That is why projects like the pest management alliance are so important. This partnership brings together almond growers and the vast intellectual resources of the University of California in a search for answers to complex issues.
That is what the search for knowledge should be about. While emotion will never be entirely removed from the debate over pesticide use, we should all strive to have our sharpest minds at work on finding viable solutions based on the best science available.
California almond growers are no different from their urban counterparts in their desire to have all the facts on the table when decisions are made which affect their environments, their families and their livelihoods.
(Looker, an agricultural communications consultant based in Modesto, is the project administrator for the Almond Pest Management Alliance.)
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