The State of World Agriculture
What are some of the most important crops?

The most important crops that emerged in the earliest eras of agriculture’s development were the various grains that humanity sustained itself on, and indeed, humanity had a "sudden and extensive dependence on grain." (Tannahill 22) The raised bread that we know today was reputedly discovered in Egypt. (51) The yeast component was most likely garnered from the use of ale instead of water on occasion to mix the dough. (52) Cereals today "account for one half of all calories consumed by humans." (Diamond 125) In many areas in the past, grains actually launched food production, aiding in the transition stage between hunters and gatherers. (126) Throughout the ancient world, people were domesticating corn, rice, wheat, barley, and sugarcane, even where they domesticated little else, such as in New Guinea and Ethiopia. (127)

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