Seven Staple Crops

Discussion in 'Free Thoughts' started by one_raven, Apr 17, 2007.

  1. one_raven God is a Chinese Whisper Valued Senior Member

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    I have been meaning to ask this question for over a year now, but I never think of it when I am here.

    I hear din a documentary once that more than 90% of the worlds population are dependent upon seven staple crops for survival (they never said which seven).

    Two questions:

    1.) Can anyone verify this? I've looked and found nothing stating the same.
    2.) What seven crops?
    My guess...
    Rice
    Corn
    Wheat
    After those three, I'm at a loss.
     
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  3. Fraggle Rocker Staff Member

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    I don't think Africans eat a lot of wheat, corn and rice. You should find out what they do eat and you'll probably get at least two of the missing four.

    You're concentrating on the grasses. Maybe check into the tubers. Millions of people once lived on potatoes, perhaps they still do. And I think yams are really big in Africa.

    Then legumes. Perhaps soybeans in Asia or various other beans in the New World. Mexico is certainly in the corn camp despite their penchant for pinto beans, but what do poor people in Central and South America eat?
     
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  5. one_raven God is a Chinese Whisper Valued Senior Member

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    Soybeans is a good one - my girlfriend mentioned that one.
    She also brought up barley and potatoes.

    I know that a lot of poor South Americans eat Quinoa, but I don't know if enough depend on it for survival to make it one of the seven staples.
     
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  7. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    cassava
    banana
     
  8. Read-Only Valued Senior Member

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    In the order grown world-wide:

    1. Corn/maize
    2. Wheat
    3. Rice
    4. Potatoes
    5. Yams
    6. Legumes (beans, peas, soy)
    7. In dispute: Bananas, sorghum, rye, sugar cane/beets and a few others.
     
  9. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    Cereals-wheat, maize, rice

    Tubers-potato, taro, cassava, canna

    Pulses

    Sago

    Breadfruit

    Bananas
     
  10. Killjoy Propelling The Farce!! Valued Senior Member

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  11. S.A.M. uniquely dreadful Valued Senior Member

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    But isn't sorghum grown for fodder?

    edit: its jowar. Eaten in some places in India too. Sweet taste.
     
  12. leopold Valued Senior Member

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    1. wheat
    2. rice.
    3. oats.
    4. corn.
    5. rye.
    6. barley.
    7. flax.
     
  13. Killjoy Propelling The Farce!! Valued Senior Member

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    From the site...uh... cited:

    Sorghum is an important part of the diets of many people in the world. It's made into unleavened breads, boiled porridge or gruel, malted beverages including beer, and specialty foods such as popped grain and syrup from sweet sorghum.

    mmmm!
    Sor-Beer...

    Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!

     
  14. valich Registered Senior Member

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    Are you sure about this, or just guessing? I don't know.
     
  15. w1z4rd Valued Senior Member

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    Africans eat a lot of wheat and corn. k.
     
  16. Roman Banned Banned

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    Africans don't eat a lot of anything.


    Palm oil is very, very important. Maybe not a staple, but virtually all cooking oils are made out of it.
     
  17. leopold Valued Senior Member

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    not sure about barley or flax.

    guessing? i didn't look it up if that's what you mean.
     
  18. FreeThinkers Registered Senior Member

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    POTATOES!! Best food in the world! Cheap, nutritious and delicious.
     
  19. Roman Banned Banned

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    Any primary research?
     

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