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Which California Crops Are Worth Water? Check for Yourself

National Geographic: California’s thirstiest crops are under scrutiny amid the state’s severe drought. At the center of the debate are permanent crops, like almonds, that require year-round watering. With agriculture responsible for roughly 80 percent of California’s water use, many question the practicality of crops that cannot be fallowed and the viability of producing food for export. A crop’s water footprint—all the water needed to grow and process it—is one way of measuring its water efficiency. Almonds, in particular,...