Almond Board Fuels Farm of the Future with Research Investment
The Almond Board of California (ABC) has announced an investment of USD5.9m in 85 independent research projects exploring next-generation farming practices. With this commitment, the California almond community has invested USD89m in research since 1973 to build a foundation of knowledge on responsible farming practices, food quality and safety and almonds’ impact on human health.
The Almond Orchard 2025 Goals is an example of the community’s commitment to improvement. It was launched in January 2019 and will leverage this research as farmers strive to meet measurable objectives with the goal of growing almonds in better, safer and healthier ways.
“The California almond community takes a long-term view of success based on respect for the land and local communities. Earlier this year, the California almond community set four ambitious goals aligning with our vision to make life better by what we grow and how we grow,” said Holly King, chair of the Almond Board of California, in a statement.
Of this year’s projects, 10 focus on water, with an investment of USD678,000. Since 1982, California almond farmers have committed USD8.1m to 221 different water research projects spanning irrigation efficiency, groundwater recharge and water quality. This investment has helped reduce the amount of water needed to grow each pound of almonds by 33% over the past 20 years. By 2025, the California almond community commits to reducing the amount of water used to grow a pound of almonds by an additional 20%.
Another important part of the research is about achieving zero waste by using everything the orchard grows. Almonds grow in a shell, protected by a hull, on a tree, and the California almond community ensures that each of these coproducts is put to beneficial use. Since 1977, ABC has funded 79 research projects totaling USD3.5m exploring the best ways to utilize these materials, establishing traditional uses such as dairy feed, livestock bedding, and electricity generation. This year, 13 new studies have been funded with a commitment of USD607,000 dollars to determine how almond coproducts may address needs in other sectors, with promising leads in strengthening recycled plastics, creating biofuel and more. By 2025, the California almond community commits to achieving zero waste in orchards by putting everything grown to optimal use.
In addition to water sustainability and coproduct utilization, investing in research has also resulted in significant advancements in the areas of nutrient management, air quality, and honey bee health. For example, farmers work closely with beekeepers and follow research-based best practices to ensure the safety of honey bees, essential to pollinating almonds. ABC has funded more research related to honey bee health than any other crop group, with 125 projects funded to date. This year, California almond farmers have added to that investment with five new research projects totaling USD336,000.