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California has a reputation for growing high water use crops in low water areas. California can still provide epics amounts of food for less water usage, it wou

California has a reputation for growing high water use crops in low water areas. California can still provide epics amounts of food for less water usage, it would just be a different mix of products.

sroussey 4y ago
Yes, but there is nuance. Like rice is grown where there is a forced conservation for some other purpose, and hey since we have to have pools of water here, can we make rice? Sure, ok… Later… “CA wasting water by growing rice! Can you believe those idiots? It’s a drought!”
- shagie 4y ago
  The conservation aspect is interesting... and not exactly forced. https://calricenews.org/2021/09/01/flooding-opportunities-drought-relief-waterbird-program/ https://calricenews.org/2021/09/01/flooding-opportunities-dr... https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1019488080 https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1019488080 However, there are other questionable crops that are being grown in California and exported. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/12/colorado-drought-water-alfalfa-farmers-conservation https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/12/colorado... > In 2021, nearly 20% of alfalfa produced in the west was shipped abroad, according to analysis of United States Department of Agriculture data. Nationwide, alfalfa exports reached a record high last year, driven by strong demand from China. Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia are among other top importers. https://www.desertsun.com/story/opinion/contributors/valley-voice/2023/02/05/growing-alfalfa-in-imperial-county-and-california-wastes-water/69860506007/ https://www.desertsun.com/story/opinion/contributors/valley-... > We make this business extremely profitable for them by selling them 3.4 million acre-feet (1 acre foot =325,851 gallons) of water every year for $35 to $60 per acre-foot. The water you get for your house costs you $800 per acre-foot today, and it could be double that in 10 years' time. You could supply the water needs of 40 million people with that 3.4 million acre-feet. > ... > Alfalfa is used to feed farm animals like pigs and cows. But we export 70% of what we grow in California to Japan and China. The Japanese raise Kobe beef with it and send it back to us for $200 per pound. The Chinese use it to raise pigs to meet their rapidly expanding demand for pork as they become more affluent and eat more meat. > Why don’t they grow their own alfalfa? Because they are short of water and it is so much cheaper to buy ours. In fact, alfalfa has become an instrument for exporting subsidized water. And while its from 2014, still applicable - https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26124989 https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26124989 > "A hundred billion gallons of water per year is being exported in the form of alfalfa from California," argues Professor Robert Glennon from Arizona College of Law. > "It's a huge amount. It's enough for a year's supply for a million families - it's a lot of water, particularly when you're looking at the dreadful drought throughout the south-west."

California has a reputation for growing high water use crops in low water areas. California can still provide epics amounts of food for less water usage, it would just be a different mix of products.

sroussey 4y ago

Yes, but there is nuance. Like rice is grown where there is a forced conservation for some other purpose, and hey since we have to have pools of water here, can we make rice? Sure, ok… Later… “CA wasting water by growing rice! Can you believe those idiots? It’s a drought!”

shagie 4y ago
The conservation aspect is interesting... and not exactly forced. https://calricenews.org/2021/09/01/flooding-opportunities-drought-relief-waterbird-program/ https://calricenews.org/2021/09/01/flooding-opportunities-dr... https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1019488080 https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1019488080 However, there are other questionable crops that are being grown in California and exported. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/12/colorado-drought-water-alfalfa-farmers-conservation https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/12/colorado... > In 2021, nearly 20% of alfalfa produced in the west was shipped abroad, according to analysis of United States Department of Agriculture data. Nationwide, alfalfa exports reached a record high last year, driven by strong demand from China. Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia are among other top importers. https://www.desertsun.com/story/opinion/contributors/valley-voice/2023/02/05/growing-alfalfa-in-imperial-county-and-california-wastes-water/69860506007/ https://www.desertsun.com/story/opinion/contributors/valley-... > We make this business extremely profitable for them by selling them 3.4 million acre-feet (1 acre foot =325,851 gallons) of water every year for $35 to $60 per acre-foot. The water you get for your house costs you $800 per acre-foot today, and it could be double that in 10 years' time. You could supply the water needs of 40 million people with that 3.4 million acre-feet. > ... > Alfalfa is used to feed farm animals like pigs and cows. But we export 70% of what we grow in California to Japan and China. The Japanese raise Kobe beef with it and send it back to us for $200 per pound. The Chinese use it to raise pigs to meet their rapidly expanding demand for pork as they become more affluent and eat more meat. > Why don’t they grow their own alfalfa? Because they are short of water and it is so much cheaper to buy ours. In fact, alfalfa has become an instrument for exporting subsidized water. And while its from 2014, still applicable - https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26124989 https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26124989 > "A hundred billion gallons of water per year is being exported in the form of alfalfa from California," argues Professor Robert Glennon from Arizona College of Law. > "It's a huge amount. It's enough for a year's supply for a million families - it's a lot of water, particularly when you're looking at the dreadful drought throughout the south-west."