Countries with large area are significant for agriculture. The type of food produce on land depends on various factors. The quality of agricultural land, environment condition and countries population are important factors. So, which country plays top role in food production? What is the major food crop grown in developing countries? Let’s check, below, the list of top food producing countries of the world.
#1 China
China is the top country by gross value of agricultural production in the world. China has only 10% of arable land worldwide and produces a quarter of the global grain output. The percentage of area per citizen is compatibly less in China. The country has a danger of climatic change for the food production. Instead of this, China is the world’s largest grain producer. The country, primarily produces rice, wheat, potatoes and tomato. It also produces, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, cotton, oil seed, corn and soybeans. It contributes a significant role in world economy.
#2 The United States
The U.S. is the world’s top food exporter. The country has high crop yields with develop agricultural infrastructure in the world. The most produced items of the country include cotton, soybeans, corn, and wheat. With different climatic region, makes it good for variety of food. The US is the world’s largest producer of maize (corn). Agriculture contribute just 1 percentage of its GDP, making it at top in the world.
#3 Brazil
In the list of top food producing country, Brazil lie at third position in the world. Brazil is rich with natural resource. The country’s economy is active in the agricultural, manufacturing, mining and service sectors. Brazil is the world’s primary source of coffee, oranges, and cassava (manioc). It is a major producer of sugar, and soy. However, Brazilian agriculture has been in a decline due to rapid urbanization. Brazil has made significant progress in poverty reduction. Agriculture represents only 5 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Small-scale agriculture accounts for 85 per cent of the agricultural production units. This small -scale agriculture makes up to 70 per cent of some of the country’s staple food production.
#4 India
India is the world’s largest wheat-producing country. 60 percent of India’s GDP is on account of agriculture. The country share in global food and agriculture trade is just 2.2% only. Due to large population of its own, the consumption is more in India. Total 96mn hectare irrigated area in India, it is the largest in all over the world. India depends on imports for edible oils and pulses. In India, the agriculture sector employs half of the country’s population. Around 60% rural Indian households making their living from agriculture.
#5 Russia
Russia is the world’s largest country by territory. It ranks third in the world in terms of arable land with 123 million hectares. The main crops grown are wheat, barley, sunflower seed, oats, potatoes and rye. Agricultural production has been sharply reduced. There was a significant reduction in arable land in a number of regions. The most fertile regions are in the southern parts of the country. Mainly between Kazakhstan and Ukraine.
#6 France
The only country in Europe that’s self-sufficient in food is France. About 11.8 million ha (29.1 million acres) of the usable farm area is under annual crops. Major food production includes wheat, barley and corn in grain. France also produces potatoes and sugar beet in root vegetables. The fruit and vegetable sector provides 450,000 direct jobs. France accounts for 18 % of European agricultural production, ahead of Italy and Spain.
#7 Mexico
Maize is the most extensive crop grown in Mexico. It is estimated that 3 million farmers cultivate maize. Major crops grown includes are wheat, beans, corn and sorghum. Mexico export its food product to the United States. The most important export crops are sugar, coffee, fruits and vegetables. The most important animal feed crop is alfalfa, followed by sorghum and corn. Mexico has a territory of 198 million hectares. Out of which, 15% is dedicated to agricultural crops. And fifty-eight percent of which is used for livestock production. About 20 hectares or fewer is the farm area of Mexico. Two important products for export to the United States are avocados and tomatoes.
#8 Japan
The Japanese agricultural sector accounts for around one percent of the country’s GDP. About 20 percent of land is suitable for cultivation. The country is intensively farmed, with rice paddies at its countryside. Japan has the best agricultural land for the cultivation of rice. Other crops grown in Japan include soybeans, wheat, barley. Also, Japan has a large production of variety of fruit and vegetables. Due to Japan’s distinctive geography, Japanese agriculture has a shortage of farmland. The country has been known for deep-sea fishing and whaling.
#9 Germany
Germany has for many years been the world’s third-largest exporter of agricultural goods. The part of high fertility area produces crops like, wheat, barley, corn (maize), and sugar beets. Whereas the poorer soils of the country are used for growing rye, oats, potatoes, and fodder beets. The country, Germany, is self-sufficient in food production. Around 50 percent of farmland is made up of grassland, which is used for animal feeding purposes. Germany’s climate favors production of hardy vegetables like turnips, cabbage and onions. Grain is grown on about one third of Germany’s agricultural land. Wheat is by far the leading crop, followed by barley and rye.
#10 Turkey
Turkey is the top producer in the world for apricots and hazelnuts. Turkey is among the few countries in the world that is self-sufficient in terms of food. It has fertile soil, temperate climate, and abundant rainfall. This enables the cultivation of virtually every crop by the country. Country’s 25% of the employment is provided by agriculture. Turkey has a total land area of 76 960 000 ha, and approximately, 24000000 ha are cultivable.
Being a good citizen of the country, you must try to answer these questions. Do you think agriculture is important for country’s development? Is your country self-sufficient in food production? Which food items are imported and exported by your country? How much is the area reserve for agriculture? How can the total production of food be increased in the world? Comment below to make others know about your country.
