Understanding the global distribution of major crops is crucial for comprehending agricultural patterns, food security, and economic development. This module explores the key crops, their cultivation requirements, and where they are predominantly grown worldwide.

Several factors dictate where specific crops can be successfully cultivated. These include climate (temperature, rainfall, sunlight), soil type and fertility, topography, availability of water for irrigation, and socio-economic factors like government policies, market demand, and technological advancements.

Let's delve into the distribution of some of the world's most important food crops.

Rice is a staple food for over half the world's population. It requires high temperatures, high humidity, and abundant rainfall (or irrigation). It is primarily cultivated in the monsoon regions of Asia, including China, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Some cultivation also occurs in parts of Africa and the Americas.

Wheat is another major cereal crop, grown in temperate regions. It prefers moderate temperatures and rainfall during the growing season, with a dry spell during harvest. Major wheat-producing countries include China, India, Russia, the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is often grown in areas with fertile loess soils.

Maize is a versatile crop grown in various climates, from temperate to tropical. It requires warm temperatures and adequate rainfall. The United States is the largest producer, followed by China, Brazil, and Argentina. It is also a significant crop in Mexico and parts of Africa.

These are hardy cereals that are drought-resistant and can grow in semi-arid regions with poor soils. They are important food sources in parts of Africa (e.g., Nigeria, Ethiopia) and Asia (e.g., India, China). Millets are also known as 'nutri-cereals' due to their high nutritional value.

Sugarcane is a tropical and subtropical crop that requires high temperatures, abundant rainfall, and fertile soils. Brazil is the world's largest producer, followed by India, China, Thailand, and Pakistan. It is the primary source of sugar and also used for producing ethanol.

Cotton is a fiber crop that requires warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine, and moderate rainfall or irrigation. It is grown in tropical and subtropical regions. Major producers include China, India, the United States, Pakistan, and Brazil. It thrives in black soils and alluvial soils.

Coffee cultivation is concentrated in the 'Bean Belt' region between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. It requires warm, humid climates with distinct wet and dry seasons, and is often grown on hillsides. Brazil is the leading producer, followed by Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.

Tea is a plantation crop that thrives in tropical and subtropical climates with abundant rainfall and well-drained soils. It is often grown on undulating terrain. India and China are the largest producers, followed by Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. The quality of tea is influenced by factors like altitude and soil composition.

The concentration of specific crops in certain regions leads to the formation of distinct agricultural landscapes. For instance, the 'Rice Bowl' of Asia, the 'Wheat Belt' of North America and Eurasia, and the coffee plantations of Brazil and Colombia are all recognizable agricultural regions shaped by crop suitability and historical development.