While food is one of the most fundamental economic products, only a few countries excel in agricultural production. As most agricultural commodities require lots of land area, the best farmland in the world is probably in the largest countries.
But, which are these countries? We’ll first find out what factors make good farmland and then look at the list of these areas later.
What Makes Good Farmland?
Good farmland should allow farmers to produce profitable crops and raise healthy animals. Key factors that make land ideal for growing plants are the quality of soil, weather condition, and where it is located.
Soil
Soil is one of the determining factors for a fruitful farm. Good soil should be fertile.
The most experienced farmers usually judge the soil quality by looking at the amount of sand, clay, and silt it contains, known as soil texture.
The better the soil texture of the farmland, the better it is, as soil texture refers to the ability to effectively transport water and nutrients to plants. Rich, sandy loam usually combines all these three main types of soil.
Each group of plants grows well in a specific type of soil. For example, clay soil is lumpy, sticky, and poorly draining, so it’s excellent for perennials and shrubs such as aster, bergamot, or other fruit trees. Vegetable crops and soft berry crops usually struggle in clay soil because of their compact nature.
Check more: Where Is The Best Soil In The Usa?
Weather condition
Farmers choose their farmland by looking at different types of agricultural maps (agro-maps), in which lands are divided into zones based on their climate conditions. Cold areas tend to be categorized into similar zones while warm areas are put into the same group.
People often assume that the most fertile farmland is where the climate is warm. However, it all comes down to the types of plants you grow and the location where they’re grown.
Agro-maps also provide analysis related to climate change effects, land degradation, and nutrient balances, allowing farmers to make the most of their farming plans.
Location
Good farmland is usually located in areas where there are many farms already built. Aside from looking at the right type of soil and climate for their preferred plants and livestock, farmers also rely on more experienced farmers to choose their location.
Renting or buying farms in areas where crops or animals have fewer risks to be harmed is a must. At the same time, farming near an urban center or distribution channels is also necessary. At the end of the day, the best farmland is the one that yields economic profits.
Which Countries Have The Best Farmland In The World?
As briefly mentioned above, the countries with the best farmland in the world are usually large ones. To be more precise, they are the nations with the most arable land like the US, India, China, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Russia.
However, the best farmland should also have the most fertile soil. In this regard, we then need to look closer into specific regions of these countries.
According to soil experts, Illinois state produces the best corn and soybeans. What lies behind these yields is the rich, black dirt that is unmatched for fertility.
There are also a few other patches of farmland in the south of Ukraine, Argentina, and along the Yellow River of China that have the same fertile ground.
Last Words,
The best farmland in the world is usually located in countries with the biggest land mass. To be more specific, the best farmland is where the soil is fertile, giving essential nutrients for plant growth. There are certain areas in the US, Ukraine, China, and Argentina, where the most fertile soil can be found.