Cash Crop

By Aditya Abhishek

Definition

Any crop that is used for commercial purpose instead of personal use by the grower/farmer is cash crop.

Examples

Sugarcane, oilseeds, cotton, tea, coffee, jute, tobacco and rubber are the examples of cash crop in the world.

Food Crop

But in terms of use & purpose, definition of food crop is different from cash crops. They are crops that are used for human consumption.

Examples

Potatoes, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, yam, bottle gourds, etc. are examples of food crop.

Global Cash Crop

Coconut is the global cash crop in the world. It is being cultivated in nearly 81 countries with total production of around 61 million tonnes every year.

Black Market

Opium poppy, Coca, and Cannabis are black market cash crops. In the year 2006, market value of cannabis exceeded US$35.8 billion.

History

The most important cash crop during colonial America was "Tobacco." It is believed that it is the first cash crop in the history of mankind.

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