What is one of the most water wise crops? In an arid state with growing pressures on water availability and use the answer to that question is both significant and surprising. The answer is rice.
Contrary to a common misconception, rice farmers are among the best stewards of this valuable resource. Only 25 gallons of water are needed to producing a serving of rice. That's about the same as a serving of oranges. Rice compares even more favorably to other crops such as corn, cherries and broccoli and it uses seven times less than the average suburban lawn.
True, rice was once a thirstier crop, but a series of innovations over the last three decades has reduced its use by nearly 40 percent.
