> question is whether it uses less electricity to desalinate and flood irrigate, or pay for the electricity to allow ultra high density, water efficient farms
Nobody desalinates & floods fields, surely. (That's what you do if you live before the invention of water-pipe, or have a use-it-or-lose-it quota.) The Israelis are I think world leaders in growing stuff outdoors with minimal water, delivered directly to the roots. And indoors, they have greenhouses, just not the same design as in cold climates obviously.
Nobody desalinates & floods fields, surely. (That's what you do if you live before the invention of water-pipe, or have a use-it-or-lose-it quota.) The Israelis are I think world leaders in growing stuff outdoors with minimal water, delivered directly to the roots. And indoors, they have greenhouses, just not the same design as in cold climates obviously.