Sustainable farming is critical, the crux of the situation is why people think cotton or rice isn't sustainable, or somehow less worthy than say tree plantations for woodchips or carbon credits. Or why when irrigators in SA have 32% allocation cotton farmers shouldn't have any. All farming systems require water, and the issue really is about whether too much water is extracted, which has nothing to do with the crop grown. Allocations were made to licence holders who will use the same amount of water regardless of crop. Wheat takes less water per hectare, so they will grow more hectares to utilise the water.
The reality is SA despite being at system end, hasn't run out of water during the worst drought in recorded history and while the farmers don't have full allocation it is much better than their Northern cousins (0% last year and 12% this year in my valley). That SA hasn't run out of water is largely because of large scale irrigation and consequent infrastructure like Hume dam. And the reality that annual crops like rice and cotton just aren't planted when no water is available, leaving the water for people and permanent plantings(where if the orchard dies it takes years to get back to production).

I saw you online, and wandered off for half an hour so you could make your post.

I have talked to two farmers down here, one has crops, the other livestock. Both of these farmers are less than happy. I put your posts into emails and sent them on to them for comment.
Your posts are on the internet after all;...

I appreciate the first half of your post, but the second half I do not, and it is that half that I shall forward on. I'm doing it that way because one of these men in particular, who has been farming for just over 50 years, is champing at the bit to have a go at you. (Murray is just a young un', he has only been farming for 40 years.)

Now Les is less than subtle in his approach, which is why I have not given him this source. If you think I've been impolite..........!

I have never argued against the farming of rice or cotton, I argue that this type of crop is no longer viable in drought prone areas; it never was.

I shall pass on to Les and Mazz that you see SA. as doing well with water. They'll be so thrilled to hear it!!