Not going to disagree with your sentiment. California state government deems cities a higher commercial priority due to the higher commercial tax revenues from urban businesses. Of course, the ruling democrat party represents those urban areas. Unfortunately, this creates a speculative incentive to buy foreclosed or heavily in debt farmland out and fallow it for drought incentives. This creates further stress and pressure on small farmers as private equity seeking easy wins drives them out. Drought is very over now, though, after historic rainfall this winter.

https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/ca-program-pays-farmers-fallow-fields-preserve-water/