Cali farmers loose jobs to climate change

The California agriculture industry was one of the worst-hit by the drought caused by climate change that ravaged the country. A report prepared by the California Department of Food and Agriculture said that reduced water deliveries resulted in 395,000 acres of cropland left dried and unplanted. 

The severe drought caused the California agriculture industry to shrink by an estimated 8745 jobs which resulted in the loss of $1.2 billion as farmers shouldered the cost to pump additional groundwater. The California Agriculture industry is one of the largest in the country, it employs more than 400,000 people averaging an annual revenue of $50 billion. Researchers believe that the economic costs of droughts are likely to accumulate as climate change intensifies, California is also rolling out sanctions to prevent the chronic overpumping of groundwater. All these put farmers who belong to middle-lower income groups in grave dismay as they have no economic means to water their lands. 

In light of recent events, many farm owners have had to let go of employees, the author of the report said that many farmers are taking up other jobs, driving longer distances or moving. 

Source: Los Angeles Times