In My Humble Opinion

Farming and water usage during California’s drought

By: Matthew Dziak

We do not need to be reminded that we are in a drought; it is common knowledge at this point.

However, we do need to be concerned with water usage and the role farming plays in water consumption.

The California Department of Water and Agriculture reported that California has nearly 78,000 farms and $42.6 billion in revenue.
It also reported that California accounts for nearly half of the fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in the nation. 

The impact of farming is tremendous in our state’s commerce and water is liquid gold in the farming areas of California.

According to Blaine Hanson of the Department of land, air and water resources at the University of California Davis, 80 percent of the state’s water using is for agriculture. 

The number might sound alarming to some but when breaking down the water required to grow certain crops, there is some clarity provided.

According to a report by Mother Jones, producing one almond requires 1.1 gallons of water and almonds aren’t even the worst culprit.

The report also revealed that one tomato requires 3.3 gallons of water and the largest consumption comes from one head of broccoli, which requires 5.4 gallons of water to produce.

Are the staggering numbers going to prevent consumers for purchasing these goods?

Probably not and this brings us to the next issue in farming during a drought: the potential for a limited supply of produce causing inflation in prices.

If farmers don’t have the necessary water to grow their crops, then there could be a dramatic decrease in the overall number of crops.

When the supply of crops is limited but the demand remains, then the price of the goods will be driven up.

The Dust Bowl of the 1930’s brought farmers to California from the desolate land of Oklahoma.
The fertile soil and abundance of river flows and water beds in California was ideal for farmers.

However, some of those water beds have dried up and surface water remains at record lows.

Earlier this month, state legislature passed SB350, a bill that would increase California’s renewable energy to 50 percent, also doubling the standards for energy efficiency in existing buildings.

Still, there is inadequate legislation to regulate well-drilling by farmers.

Due to the lack of surface water, farmers have resorted to well-drilling which digs deep into the ground to find water underground, wrecking the land in the process.

According to Tim Horner, hydrogeologist at Sacramento State University, there are few regulations on water pumping in California and farmers can pump their well as far and deep as they want and it doesn’t matter what they are doing to the neighbors.

Farmers have hired drilling companies at a frantic pace in order to generate other sources of water.

In May, farmers in the San Joaquin River Delta agreed to surrender 25 percent of their water during the season and in exchange, the state would not execute any new water restrictions for the season.

The agreement was a telling sign of the severity of this drought and how important limiting water usage is, even for everyday citizens.

You cannot blame the farmers for using water to grow their crops to support their livelihood and the demand from consumers.

If we don’t want to pay four, five, even six dollars for a pound of tomatoes, then we will need to cut our personal consumption of water during this trying time.

(published in Spartan Daily)