While almonds do use a large amount of water per acre of crop, she said, it’s similar to other tree crops and less than rice, irrigated pasture or alfalfa, which is essentially cow food.
Furthermore, how much water it takes to grow various crops is hardly set in stone. It depends on how hot the place is where the crops are growing, for instance. Irrigation methods can also make a difference.
“What matters for agriculture is: How much money do you make with the water?” she said. “One of the reasons people single out almonds is because they’re widespread on the landscape.”
It is true that the demand for almonds exploded just as the last drought was gripping California, Hanak said. However, the rise of the almond as a signature California crop hints at bigger trends.
Tree crops — including almonds, but also peaches, citrus, avocados and other fruits and nuts — turn every drop of water into a lot of money compared with other crops.
A 2018 analysis by the institute found that “orchards and vines” accounted for 45 percent of California’s crop revenues and 34 percent of the water used for crops. Alfalfa, by contrast, accounted for 4 percent of the revenues and used 18 percent of the water.
Source Article from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/12/us/ca-drought-crops.html
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