Pepper growers are facing increasingly complex challenges in their production of high-quality crops. With over 35,000 hectares of greenhouse cultivation in Almería (Spain), and most farms averaging just two hectares, they face intense pressure from pests and diseases. Besides, they have to cope with climate change and ever-increasing regulatory pressure.
Pepper growers are facing increasingly complex challenges in their production of high-quality crops. With over 35,000 hectares of greenhouse cultivation in Almería (Spain), and most farms averaging just two hectares, they face intense pressure from pests and diseases. Besides, they have to cope with climate change and ever-increasing regulatory pressure.
Support that starts in the field
Growers in this region rely on the support of technicians from their cooperative or distributor, and Technical Advisors from Certis Belchim who are in the field, visiting farms, diagnosing problems and helping implement tailored strategies.
Tackling pests with integrated solutions
The challenges are significant. Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis, Thrips parvispinus) and aphid-transmitted viruses are among the most serious threats to pepper crops. Certis Belchim provides integrated programmes that include both biorational and conventional product solutions, which work alongside beneficial insects, to help growers manage these pests effectively and sustainably.
Planning for the whole season
The Growing for the Future programmes are central to this approach. They are tried and tested and cover the entire crop cycle, aiming to integrate solutions for pest, disease and soil problems alike, while maintaining food safety and profitability. These strategies are not just about applying a product; they’re about building a sustainable, season-long programme that adapts to the specific conditions of each greenhouse.
Every greenhouse is different and every year there are new problems. Being there, on the ground, seeing the issues firsthand is essential. It’s the only way to offer an effective strategy to help growers produce high-quality, safe crops while staying profitable.
Leopoldo Gonzalez, Technical Advisor.
Certis Belchim
Trust built over time
Growers appreciate this hands-on support. Many have worked with Certis Belchim year after year, building strong relationships based on trust and shared knowledge and experience. At the end of each season, results are reviewed together, looking at pest and disease control levels, yields, quality and overall crop performance.
“When we see the results in our own greenhouse—better control, better yields—it gives us confidence. We know they understand our problems and help us find the right solutions.”
— A pepper grower in Almería
Adapting to a changing climate
Climate change is adding a further challenge, with rising temperatures and lower humidity increasing pest pressure. But the solution is not simply more chemical applications. As Leopoldo explains, “We need to provide strategies that are sustainable and replicable, that work year after year, even as conditions change.”
Supporting the next generation
Younger farmers are increasingly open to new technologies, and Certis Belchim supports them with science-based advice and tools. From temperature sensors to precision spraying, innovation is helping to improve decision-making and application timing. The role of the Technical Advisor, grounded in science and experience, with feet on the soil and eyes on the crop, is more important than ever.
