Temperate grasslands of North America, Europe, and Asia
Explanation
Commercial Grain Farming is a form of extensive agriculture practiced in the interior parts of semi-arid lands of the mid-latitudes. It is characterized by large landholdings, high capital investment, and complete mechanization.
- Monsoon regions of Asia: These areas are characterized by Intensive Subsistence Farming. Due to high population density, landholdings are small, and the focus is on maximizing output per unit of land, primarily cultivating rice.
- Tropical regions of Africa: Agriculture here is largely dominated by Primitive Subsistence Farming (shifting cultivation) and nomadic herding. The climatic conditions and soil types in tropical zones are generally not suited for extensive commercial grain cultivation.
- Temperate grasslands of North America, Europe, and Asia: These are the major areas for commercial grain farming. Specific regions include the Prairies of North America, the Steppes of Eurasia, the Pampas of Argentina, the Veld of South Africa, and the Downs of Australia. Wheat is the principal crop, though maize, barley, oats, and rye are also grown.
- Amazon Basin: This region is a tropical rainforest area where Shifting Cultivation (slash and burn) is practiced. The dense forest cover and leached soils are unsuitable for large-scale commercial grain farming.
Key Takeaway: Commercial grain farming is geographically distinct to the temperate grasslands of the world, where low population density and vast land tracts allow for highly mechanized, extensive wheat cultivation.