10 Most Consumed Staple Crops In The World

Staple foods are those that make up the bulk of a defined diet and usually have nearly all or much of the overall energy and nutrient intake. These staple foods are typically eaten by people on a daily basis or many times a day. Community, climate, and commerce are all variables that decide a certain food's popularity. About 50,000 plants are nutritious, but only a few of them make any substantial contribution to the supply of human food. Grains are the vast majority of global staple foods. Corn, rice, and wheat combined account for 51 per cent of the calorie consumption in the country.

Posted On November 10th, 2020

Corn

Corn is the world's most commonly grown crop. For the majority in sub-Saharan Africa, it's a staple food and is a decent source of carbohydrates, calcium, iron, vitamin B, and minerals. Plus, it is increasingly being used for ethanol.

Rice

As a food grain, rice can be even more important than maize, as maize is used for other uses outside of consumption. Rice is thus the cause of more than 1/5th of all human calories eaten. It may also be the thirstiest crop: farmers require at least 2,000 litres of water to grow one kilogramme of rice, according to the U.N.

Wheat

More of the earth than any other grain is covered by wheat. It is a robust crop that grows in dry and cold climates, where rice and maize are unable to grow. Wheat is the world's leading vegetable protein source for humans.

Cassava

In Africa and South America, Cassava's value should not be overstated. Cassava is a starch-heavy lifesaver for low-income areas as a drought-resistant crop that performs well in bad soil. Cassava eaters realise that in order to lose this toxic amount of cyanogenic glucosides, the roots and leaves must be roasted.

Soybeans

As both edible for humans — with substantial amino acids, protein and oil — and for the soil as a natural fertiliser, soybeans are on double duty. It provides twice as much protein as any other large crop of vegetables per acre. Supply for this energizer bean is greatly outweighed by demand.

Potatoes

The number one non-grain food commodity is potatoes. Originally cultivated in the Andes, in the 16th century the Spanish introduced Europe to the potato and since then the starchy crop hasn't looked back. China is also the top manufacturer of potatoes worldwide.

Sorghum

The fifth most valuable cereal crop worldwide is sorghum. In arid regions where large cereals do not produce adequate yields, it is tolerant of drought and heat and is, therefore, a significant crop. However, the consumption of sorghum has decreased significantly in many African countries, especially in urban areas.

Sweet Potatoes

Another crop native to South America that is now mostly produced by China is sweet potatoes. They are only closely related to standard potatoes, and they are frequently mistaken for yams in the U.S. A perfect source of protein, vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium is sweet potatoes. With the world, they evolve very harmoniously — few natural enemies render pesticides unnecessary.

Yams

The majority of yams are processed in West and Central Africa, with Nigeria the world's largest producer far and wide. Yams are the year's first harvested flower, marking the beginning of many Yams Festivals throughout Africa. They can get up to a length of almost five feet.

Plantain

Given its similar appearance to the banana, in form, feel, taste and use, plantains vary from bananas. Plantains are starchy and lower in sugar than bananas, and before eating, they are fried. Due to soil erosion, diseases, drought and poor crop husbandry, the total worldwide yield of plantains has declined since the 1970s. They are a healthy source of dietary fibre and potassium.