Groundwater makes up roughly a third of California’s freshwater supply used for irrigation — a necessary resource to continue producing three-quarters of the nation’s fruits, nuts, and half of its vegetables. Yet, a new study finds that with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act imposing higher groundwater pumping costs, farmers may switch to crops that use less water. According to a study led by the University of Maryland, California can meet SGMA’s groundwater targets, but doing so will cut fruit and nut production by a quarter and leave 50% more cropland unused.  

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