Cash crop

Globalization and Cash Crops:

• Subsidies and trade barriers on cash crops are controversial in globalization discussions.
• Developing nations struggle to export goods overseas due to unfair trade practices.
• Collapse of trade talks in 2003 due to agricultural subsidies issue.
• Dumping, exporting goods at low prices, is illegal but still occurs.
• Developing nations face challenges competing with artificially low-priced imported goods.

Cash Crops by Climate Zones:

• Arctic: Rhodiola rosea is a potential cash crop in the Arctic.
• Temperate: Cereals, oil-yielding crops, vegetables, lumber yielding trees, and fruits are common cash crops in temperate regions.
• Subtropical: Oil-yielding crops, cotton, rice, tobacco, citrus, pomegranates, and vegetables are predominant cash crops in subtropical regions.
• Tropical: Coffee, cocoa, sugar cane, bananas, oranges, cotton, and jute are common cash crops in tropical regions.

Cash Crops by Continent and Country:

• Africa: Jatropha curcas is used for biofuel in Africa. Majority of African workers are in agriculture, with many being subsistence farmers.
• Australia: Australia is a significant lentil producer.
• Italy: Italy’s incentives in 1950 led to overproduction of cash crops like tomatoes, tobacco, and citrus fruits.
• United States: Oranges are a major cash crop in the U.S. Majority of U.S. farms are family-owned.

Global Cash Crops:

• Coconut palms are cultivated in more than 80 countries worldwide.
• Total production of coconut palms is 61 million tonnes per year.
• Derived products like oil and milk are used in cooking, frying, soaps, and cosmetics.

Sustainability and Economic Impact of Cash Crops:

• 70% of the world’s food is produced by 500 million smallholder farmers.
• Smallholder farmers lack access to inputs, finance, and education.
• Sustainable market transformations aim to improve conditions for smallholder farmers.
• Cash crop farming can contribute to rural poverty alleviation.
• Diversification of crops can reduce economic risks associated with cash crops.

Cash crop Data Sources