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The Californian Drought

California has some of the world's most productive farmland. The state has also endured four years of drought. What happens when water becomes the most valuable commodity of all?

California has some of the world's most productive agricultural land. It puts fruit and vegetables on America's tables and exports huge amount of produce too; nearly all of the almonds we consume come from here. But the state is also endured a severe drought, now into its fourth year. Farm land is being fallowed, farm workers are losing their jobs and thousands of wells are drying up. Some farmers believe that this year is the tipping point. If rain does not fall in the winter, they'll be out of business next year. But other farmers have had some of their best years during these testing times. Peter Day explores what happens when water becomes the most valuable commodity there is.

Producer: Rosamund Jones.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Sun 9 Aug 2015 21:30

Broadcasts

  • Thu 6 Aug 2015 20:30
  • Sun 9 Aug 2015 21:30

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