FIREBAUGH, Calif. — Facing a future of less water, the nation’s largest agricultural water district is turning from growing nuts, vegetables, fruit and beef to a new crop: solar energy.

Feeding some of California’s driest farmland, the Westlands Water District plans to transform nearly 200 square miles (an area about the size of Detroit) into the largest solar energy facility in the world.

Westlands, better known for its ties to former President Donald Trump and aggressively fighting for every extra drop of water it can get, is diversifying both economically and politically under pressure.

“With our limited water supply, we now have this survival strategy,” said Allison Febbo, the hydrologist who heads Westlands.