I don't really get the problem? Arid conditions are a bit nicer for humans since the wet bulb temps are lower. If it's about water, then agriculture uses a lot more than cities do.

Interestingly enough, I also mostly only see backlash about agriculture in hot places that are also deserts.

Yep. Southwestern states are eventually going to have to decide between their own residents and, e.g., providing year-round lettuce for the rest of the country (Arizona).

The imperial valley - a single farming region in a literal (rather than metaphorical - LA isn't a desert) California desert - uses enough water from the Colorado river to account for 100% of residential water use in California.