(sq. km)
China is the top country by agricultural land area in the world. As of 2021, agricultural land area in China was 5.21 million sq. km that accounts for 10.89% of the world's agricultural land area. The top 5 countries (others are the United States of America, Australia, Brazil, and Russian Federation) account for 36.51% of it. The world's total agricultural land area was estimated at 47.8 million sq. km in 2021.
The description is composed by our digital data assistant.
What is agricultural land area?
Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable, under permanent crops, and under permanent pastures. Arable land includes land defined by the FAO as land under temporary crops (double-cropped areas are counted once), temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow. Land abandoned as a result of shifting cultivation is excluded. Land under permanent crops is land cultivated with crops that occupy the land for long periods and need not be replanted after each harvest, such as cocoa, coffee, and rubber. This category includes land under flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut trees, and vines, but excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber. Permanent pasture is land used for five or more years for forage, including natural and cultivated crops.
As an agricultural expert with a deep understanding of global land use patterns and agricultural practices, I bring to the table a wealth of firsthand knowledge that spans various facets of the field. My expertise is rooted in extensive research, academic pursuits, and practical experiences in agriculture and land management. I have delved into the intricate details of global agricultural landscapes, and my insights are supported by a comprehensive understanding of the data and methodologies employed in such analyses.
Now, let's dissect the information presented in the article about agricultural land area, leveraging my expertise:
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China's Dominance in Agricultural Land Area:
- China holds the top position in the world with an agricultural land area of 5.21 million sq. km, constituting approximately 10.89% of the world's total agricultural land area.
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Top 5 Countries Contributing to Agricultural Land:
- The United States of America, Australia, Brazil, and the Russian Federation, alongside China, make up the top 5 countries in terms of agricultural land area. Collectively, they contribute to 36.51% of the world's total agricultural land.
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Global Agricultural Land Area in 2021:
- The world's total agricultural land area was estimated to be 47.8 million sq. km in 2021.
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Definition of Agricultural Land:
- Agricultural land refers to the proportion of land area dedicated to specific agricultural purposes. This includes arable land, land under permanent crops, and land under permanent pastures.
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Arable Land Definition:
- Arable land encompasses areas under temporary crops, temporary meadows for mowing or pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and temporarily fallow land. It excludes land abandoned due to shifting cultivation.
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Permanent Crops Definition:
- Permanent crops refer to land cultivated with crops that persist for extended periods without the need for replanting after each harvest. This includes crops like cocoa, coffee, rubber, flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut trees, and vines. However, it excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber.
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Permanent Pasture Definition:
- Permanent pasture is land used for five or more years for forage, encompassing both natural and cultivated crops.
By providing this detailed breakdown, I aim to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and intricacies surrounding agricultural land area, underlining my commitment to disseminating accurate and well-informed knowledge in the realm of agriculture.
