With water becoming increasingly precious in California, a rising number of farmers figure they can make more money by selling their water than by actually growing something.
Because farmers get their water at subsidized rates, some of them see financial opportunity this year in selling their allotments to Los Angeles and other desperately thirsty cities across Southern California, as well as to other farms.
“It just makes dollars and sense right now,” said Bruce Rolen, a third-generation farmer who grows rice, wheat and other crops in Northern California’s lush Sacramento Valley.
Instead of sowing in April, Rolen plans to let 100 of his 250 acres of white rice lie fallow and sell his irrigation water on the open market, where it could fetch up to three times the normal price. [Emphasis added]
Farmers receive subsidized water rates in order to keep the price of food down. Why should we, the taxpayers, subsidize their water so they can NOT use it to grow food, but use it purely to make profit???
And speaking of subsidies, if Rolen doesn’t plant rice this year will he give up his farm subsidy? I don’t know, but I suspect not. Also, you would think that someone who, for years, served on the Colusa Groundwater Management Commission and the Glenn Colusa Irrigation District would be more committed to using the water for “valuable, productive agricultural land.” However, Rolen can hardly be blamed for the fact that Southern California has allowed its population to grow well beyond its water supply.