When considering the different crops that Nature offers us, I cannot disguise my admiration for the wisdom that governs it. I am referring to the abundance of agricultural/ food products, which directly respond to the needs of the people who inhabit the world without ever impeding the necessary adaptation to improve the inhabitants’ living.
Each microclimate or micro-region has specific products necessary for the survival and well-being of the people. However, practical intelligence came to understand the physical and environmental conditions and move plant species from one continent to another. In almost all latitudes, rice and other common cereals, such as corn and wheat, are cultivated. Their dissemination began with an attempt to “see if it works here”, carried out by some merchants.
Rice is one of the most widespread crops and is so rich in food content that the world’s colossal population uses it as their livelihood, particularly the poorest, who take it several times a day, with different accompaniments to make it tasty. Its production does not require great sophistication. It does well in tropical and some temperate regions wherever there is water, be it near rivers or low-lying areas where it accumulates, dragging alluvium from the slopes; they are, therefore, very rich in nutrients that plants can feed.
The most systematic and scientific mind came from the Portuguese discoverers right from the beginning of their expeditions to find the sea route to India, ending up going much further in the East and West, strolling with great ease through the seas and oceans of the world.
The Sagres School would be very aware of the scientific aspect of the discoveries, to learn and add to the knowledge of the seas, the neighbouring lands confining them, and the predominant winds and currents to master the seas and survive. It was, no doubt, the Institution that promoted seamanship science, technical aspects of vessel construction and the training of sailors.
The whole adventure, with plenty of casualties in the initial steps, was profitable for the investments incurred. The era of discoveries gave Portugal not only power but high notoriety. “There were transport costs and the expense of maintaining patrol ships and forts, but the Portuguese could make a very handsome 90% profit on their investment. Further, the more imported spices, the lower the overall costs were. The Portuguese desire to buy and control spices became insatiable”.
The chronicles of the trips indicate that at each main point where the boats docked, many seedlings (saplings) of plant species with excellent and high-value fruits were taken to the next destination. In the same way, they brought other seedlings to see if they would do well at the destination, adapt to the new climate and have good productivity.
The exchange of plants would have enriched every country involved, and its expansion and multiplication would have obvious advantages. As a result, many plant species grew where the conditions were close to those they came from, contributing to a more varied and rich diet for America, Africa, Asia and Europe. Potatoes, like rice and others, were brought from America to Europe and are now widespread in all continents.
I cite some examples of vegetables with commercial value and social impact, indicating their origins and the position of India in the global context, both domestic consumption and export. I only indicate the most relevant ones:
1. Spices. The main spice was initially black pepper, which comprised around 90% of the first voyages of the ‘Portuguese India Armadas’. It was native to Malabar, on the Western Coast of Southern India. However, the trade expanded to include cinnamon, cloves, mace as nutmeg, and several less popular spices, such as ginger and cardamom, from southeastern Asia and some from America.
The production of different spices has multiplied over the last few years. Production in 2022-23 stood at 11.14 MT(Million Tons). The global spice market is almost USD$20 billion per annum. India ($3.89 billion) drives the world in flavour exports. The country is the largest producer and consumer of spices in the world.
2. Cereals. Rice. Total rice production in 2022 was 776 MT; India with 196 MT. In 1961, world rice production was only 216 MT. Norman Borlaug’s green revolution substantially impacted the increase in rice production worldwide, as did other vegetable production.
Wheat. India is the third largest wheat producer, with 110 MT harvested, representing 14% share of world production.
Corn. In 2023/2024, the production volume across India was 33.5 MT. Corn is usually grown in India’s rainy season (Kharif) and winter (rabi). Total corn production worldwide is 1,163.5 MT.
3. Tea. Originally from China, India is the second largest producer. India’s major tea-producing regions are Darjeeling, Assam, Nilgiri, Kangra and Munnar. India produces over 1 MT annually. Most Indian tea is for domestic consumption.
4. Banana. It originated in the jungles of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines in Southeast Asia, where many varieties of wild bananas still grow. They were spread across Asia by travellers and brought to Africa by Arabs. They boasted an annual yield of 35.3 MT in India, representing 28% of the world production of 125 MT.
5. Mango. It is the wealthiest flavoured fruit. It would have originated 5,000 years ago in the Hindu-Burma region. Around the year 300 of our era, it would have reached Asia, the Middle East and South America. India is the largest mango producer, with 21 MT, about 40% of global production, with suitable varieties selected and reproduced by the grafting system. The tastiest varieties in Goa are Fernandina, Malcorada, Alfonso, Monserrate, Hilário, etc.
6. Coconuts. India is one of the world’s leading producers. Coconut products are used in various industries, such as food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and agriculture. In FY2023, India produced 13.5 MT, representing 31.45% of the world’s coconuts.
7. Cashew nuts. After Côte d’Ivoire, India is the second largest producer and exporter of Cashew Nuts, or kernels, with more than 15% share.
8. Apple. It is primarily cultivated in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal. It also grows to a small extent in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Punjab and Sikkim. Apple farming is very profitable; in fiscal 2022, its production was 2,4 MT, multiplying very fast.
9. Fruits. Large citrus varieties, such as lemon, orange, and tangerine, have always existed in India, and their production is growing with improved varieties and more land dedicated.
Several other fruits are taking significant expression. Olive trees are going well for oil, especially in Rajasthan. Date palm cultivation in hot areas of India has yielded around 100 kg per tree/year. Kiwi, associated with New Zealand, is now present worldwide, including India. Nowadays, Avocados, Dragon fruit, and a large variety of berries are gaining importance.
Every country must focus on producing more prosperous crops, considering, from time to time, new nutritious crops that are easily adaptable to the country’s climate and soil composition, with reasonable selling prices. The impressive prodigality of Nature seems only limited by the creativity and investment of the farmer.
(The Author is Professor at AESE-Business School (Lisbon), at I.I.M Rohtak (India), author of The Rise of India)
