Drought will cost the agricultural sector in California losses of $ 1.7 billion

ArabiaWeather.com - A study related to agriculture showed that farmers in California will lose $ 1.7 billion this year due to the drought that hits this western state, and 14,500 people may lose their jobs in the highly fertile Central Valley in California, which It is considered the "granyard" of the United States with its plantations extending over an area of 2.8 million hectares.

According to this study issued by the University of California, this year the fields will receive only two-thirds of the water they usually receive from rivers, and 6% of the lands will be fallow.

Experts expect that the agricultural sector in the state will incur losses of $1.7 billion, including $450 million that will go to groundwater pumping systems. “Without access to groundwater, drought will be devastating for farmers and California cities,” Jayland, co-author of this study, explained. .

However, the California authorities who recommended this study consider that the drought will not negatively affect the local economy as agriculture represents less than 3% of the state's GDP.

"These estimates will help the state better understand and limit the economic impact of the drought," said Karen Ross of the California Department of Agriculture.

Drought and high temperatures in the region for several months have contributed to igniting large fires, especially in Southern California.