Section 5A. The department shall promote the use of biologic controls, integrated pest management, sustainable agriculture and other alternate pest control methods through education, technical assistance and research in order to reduce or eliminate, whenever possible, human or environmental exposures to chemical pesticides. Said department shall submit an annual report to the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives and the joint committee on natural resources and agriculture describing the efforts taken and the progress made toward reducing pesticide use, furthering the use of integrated pest management and other alternate pest control methods in the commonwealth.