Why California is flooding their fields for rice during a major drought when it exports 50% of the crop?
Because the price the farmers pay for water doesn't really reflect the total cost incurred from using that water. However, even if farmer's were paying the "social cost" of the water, they would still grow some rice for export. In a global marketplace, even with some inputs (water) being expensiv…
The Short Answer
Because the price the farmers pay for water doesn't really reflect the total cost incurred from using that water. However, even if farmer's were paying the "social cost" of the water, they would still grow some rice for export. In a global marketplace, even with some inputs (water) being expensive, others (technology and transport) are so cheap in california that it's still cheaper to grow there than elsewhere on earth.
Analysis
Key Concepts: Water, cost, grow
This explanation focuses on water, cost, grow and spans 70 words across 3 sentences. The depth is typical for Nature questions (category average: 71 words), striking a balance between accessibility and completeness.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “Because the price the farmers pay for water doesn't really reflect the total cost incurred from using that water.” It then elaborates by presenting a contrasting perspective, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 3 connected points.
How This Compares in Nature
Ranked #223 of 500 Nature questions by answer depth (top 45%). This falls in the detailed tier — above average depth. The explanation goes beyond surface-level but keeps things accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why why california is flooding their fields for rice during a major drought when it exports 50% of the crop?
Because the price the farmers pay for water doesn't really reflect the total cost incurred from using that water. However, even if farmer's were paying the "social cost" of the water, they would still grow some rice for export. In a global…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Nature questions?
This is an above-average answer at 70 words, ranked #223 of 500 Nature questions by depth. The key concepts covered are water, cost, grow.
What approach does this answer take to explain why california is flooding their fields for rice during a ma?
The explanation uses root cause analysis and contrasting perspectives across 70 words. It is categorized under Nature and addresses the question through 2 analytical lenses.