National Geographic: Californias thirstiest crops are under scrutiny amid the states severe drought. At the center of the debate are permanent crops, like almonds, that require year-round watering. With agriculture responsible for roughly 80 percent of Californias water use, many question the practicality of crops that cannot be fallowed and the viability of producing food for export. A crops water footprintall the water needed to grow and process itis one way of measuring its water efficiency. Almonds, in particular,...