Agricultural Policy Team Lead

Shiven Batra

Shiven is a high school student from Sacramento, California who became interested in geopolitics from being an exchange-student in Ecuador during their presidential election. He joined YIP as a fellow, and now serves as the Agricultural Policy Team Lead. Shiven hopes to use his experience at YIP to educate and create dialogue by publishing research briefs. In his free time, he enjoys playing and watching soccer.

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Policy Briefs by the author

California Almonds: Weighing Economic Impact vs. Water Sustainability

Agriculture Policy

November 3, 2024

The California almond industry is a major economic driver but faces scrutiny for its high water consumption amid the state’s persistent droughts. While farmers emphasize almonds' economic benefits, environmental advocates argue that water use is excessive and threatens long-term sustainability. Current policies attempt to balance these interests, yet both sides call for further reforms. This paper examines the impact of almond farming on California’s water resources and evaluates potential pathways toward sustainable growth.

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