WORLD AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

CEREALS

RICE :-
Rice (Oryza sativa) is primarily a crop of the Tropics and sub-stropics. It is the chief food of about half the world's population.

Climate : It requires temperatures of over 22 °C during the growing season and over 26°C at the time of ripening. It thrives very well in plenty of bright sunshine and water. Abundant rainfall, ranging from 150 to 200 cm is necessary. Plenty of water is required at the time of early growth and transplantation.

Soil: it grows on a wide variety of 'soils. The supply of water is the most important factor. However, alluvial friable loam with sub-soil of clay is ideal. It is impermeable and water will not drain away. Low-lying level lands, especially the alluvial soils of the river valleys and deltas are very suitable. It is also grown on man-made terraces on the slopes of hills.

Methods of cultivation : Rice is normally sown in nursery plots and not directly in the paddy field where it is to mature (rice, with husk on, is called "paddy"). It is transplanted in small bunches into the fields after about 6 weeks. Transplanting makes the plant grow faster and gives a greater yield. The crop is ready in 3 or 4 months, depending on the type. Dry season is essential at the time of harvesting.

In most rice lands of Asia, ploughing, sowing, transplanting, harvesting and other work is done by hand. In the U.S. and Japan, these operations are performed mechanically as also on the large collective farms in China.

About 90 per cent of the world's rice is grown in East and South Asia.

WHEAT :-

Wheat is the most important cereal in the temperature zone. It is the best bread-making gram.

Climate: There are several varieties and different varieties require different climatic conditions; for example, it is grown on spring rains as in America and Russia and winter rain as in the Mediterranean lands. In India it is a winter (rabi) crop. The Temperature range is 15° to 23°C during the growing season. There should be warm and sunny weather at the time of ripening.

A Rainfall of 50 to 100 cm is required during the growing season. On irrigated lands a rainfall of 40 to 50 cm is sufficient.

Soil: It should be stiff enough to support the plant and retain the moisture. Clay loam soils or fertile silt are desirable. Level or undulating ground facilities farming operations with the help of machinery.

It grows well in all the temperature grasslands of the world such as the Pampas, the Prairies and the Steppes. The large scale commercial production also occurs in Australia and on the Pampas of South America. France is the largest producer.

MAIZE :-

Maize is the third great cereal used for human consumption. It is cultivated in regions with many different types of climate. It is found throughout the tropics and with irrigation it grows even in the deserts.

Climate: Maize requires temperatures varying from 20° to 32°C and rainfall from 50 to 100 cm. The Soil should be sandy deep. and well-watered.

Maize is an important food crop in Central America, South America, Africa and to a lesser degree in India and China. About half of the world's maize is grown in the United States, but 80% of it is used for animal feed and corn oil and not for direct human consumption.

Potatoes: It is an important food crop that grows best in a mild and humid climate. It is now grown throughout the humid mid-latitudes. Eastern European countries and the CIS produce more than 50% of the world's crop. United States, Peru, China. India and Japan are others major producers.

MAJOR AREAS OF RICE, WHEAT, MAIZE AND POTATO PRODUCTION :-

Rice Area Wheat Area % Maize Area % Potato Area %
Asia 91 Asia 38 N. America 48 Europe 31
Africa 3 Europe 24 Asia 25 Asia 26
S. America 3 N. America 17 S. America 11 S. America 4
N. America 1.5 CIS 16 Europe 10 CIS 27
Europe