While farmers have traditionally relied on chemical pesticides, recent studies suggest that they may pose serious health risks. One study linked pesticide exposure to cancer rates, possibly rivaling smoking.
David Haviland noted that the navel orangeworm's destruction of almonds, while seemingly minor at 2% annually, translates to significant financial losses for farmers, exacerbated by current economic pressures.
Climate change is expected to exacerbate the navel orangeworm issue, as increased temperatures may boost their reproduction rate, adding more challenges for almond production in California.
With California producing 80% of the world's almonds, the agricultural sector faces a crisis after the production value dropped 34% in 2022, compounded by rising costs and pest infestations.
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