Agriculture Quote by Hannah Nordhaus
![“In Spain, hilly terrain and antiquated planting and harvest practices keep farmers from retrieving more than about 100 pounds [of almonds] per acre. Growers in the Central Valley, by contrast can expect up to 3000 pounds an acre. But for all their sophisticated strategies to increase yield and…” quote by Hannah Nordhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e26/hannah-nordhaus-71212_agriculture_in-spain-hilly-terrain-and-antiquated-pl_318187.jpg)
““In Spain, hilly terrain and antiquated planting and harvest practices keep farmers from retrieving more than about 100 pounds [of almonds] per acre. Growers in the Central Valley, by contrast can expect up to 3000 pounds an acre. But for all their sophisticated strategies to increase yield and profitability, almond growers still have one major problem - pollination. Unless a bird or insect brings the pollen from flower to flower, even the most state-of-the-art orchard won't grow enough nuts. An almond grower who depends on wind and a few volunteer pollinators in this desert of cultivation can expect only 40 pounds of almonds per acre. If he imports honey bees, the average yield is 2,400 pounds per acre, as much as 3,000 in more densely planted orchards. To build an almond, it takes a bee.””
About This Quote
Source Article: Almond pollination challenges, 2021
Almond yields depend heavily on pollinators; without bees, production drops dramatically.
In simple terms: Bees are essential for almond production.
Key Takeaway
Protect pollinator habitats.
Themes
agriculture
environment
economics
Mood
concerned
informative
Type
analytical
educational
When to use this quote
- farm management
- policy making
- beekeeping initiatives
- urban gardening
Key Concepts
pollination ecology
ecosystem services
crop yield
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives exist to support pollination?
- How can farmers reduce dependence on honey bees?
A Different Perspective
Reliance on a single pollinator species creates vulnerability.
