10 World’s Countries with The Largest Agricultural Land – According to FAO Statistical Database in 2020, there are 10 World’s Countries with The Largest Agricultural Land. As one of the sectors that provide basic human needs, especially food, agriculture has an important role in providing for human nutrition. Every human needs a source of nutritious food to survive, grow, and develop from time to time. With the inevitable increase in population, the agricultural sector as the main provider of food sources must consistently increase productivity and production of harvesting crops. To support this achievement, agricultural land is one of the important aspects in supporting the availability of food for humans. With adequate agricultural land, crop and livestock cultivation activities can be carried out optimally. Crops and livestock can grow and produce well, which in turn affects the final harvested output.
The World’s Agricultural Land From 1970 to 2020
| Years | Total Agricultural Land |
|---|---|
| (Hectare) | |
| 1970 | 4,535,897,821 |
| 1971 | 4,549,896,949 |
| 1972 | 4,561,706,472 |
| 1973 | 4,578,857,455 |
| 1974 | 4,588,976,558 |
| 1975 | 4,595,152,150 |
| 1976 | 4,597,446,176 |
| 1977 | 4,599,333,062 |
| 1978 | 4,614,962,378 |
| 1979 | 4,621,790,811 |
| 1980 | 4,637,294,732 |
| 1981 | 4,639,412,237 |
| 1982 | 4,656,070,799 |
| 1983 | 4,664,628,572 |
| 1984 | 4,694,554,395 |
| 1985 | 4,725,872,795 |
| 1986 | 4,729,761,652 |
| 1987 | 4,745,560,143 |
| 1988 | 4,763,527,706 |
| 1989 | 4,775,547,068 |
| 1990 | 4,786,289,091 |
| 1991 | 4,789,428,530 |
| 1992 | 4,828,352,641 |
| 1993 | 4,812,103,080 |
| 1994 | 4,832,816,090 |
| 1995 | 4,829,570,264 |
| 1996 | 4,837,613,923 |
| 1997 | 4,857,776,145 |
| 1998 | 4,870,747,759 |
| 1999 | 4,873,312,156 |
| 2000 | 4,878,013,493 |
| 2001 | 4,880,219,484 |
| 2002 | 4,868,577,500 |
| 2003 | 4,852,927,074 |
| 2004 | 4,813,737,711 |
| 2005 | 4,820,422,031 |
| 2006 | 4,817,976,342 |
| 2007 | 4,810,118,692 |
| 2008 | 4,797,345,363 |
| 2009 | 4,793,370,140 |
| 2010 | 4,794,148,165 |
| 2011 | 4,813,488,693 |
| 2012 | 4,766,469,461 |
| 2013 | 4,757,162,175 |
| 2014 | 4,756,178,969 |
| 2015 | 4,731,572,462 |
| 2016 | 4,728,790,948 |
| 2017 | 4,764,972,052 |
| 2018 | 4,749,674,202 |
| 2019 | 4,751,292,481 |
| 2020 | 4,744,459,537 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | |
Based on the FAOSTAT definition, Agricultural Land is the Land used for cultivation of crops and animal husbandry. The total of areas under ”Cropland” and ”Permanent meadows and pastures. Globally, from 1970 to 2020, the total agricultural land is around 4.5- 4.8 billion hectares. It’s up and down trend. From 1970 into 2002, the trend of Agriculture land had increased. But after 2002, the trend of agricultural land had decrease.
Each country certainly has an area of agricultural land that varies according to the size of its geographical area or the food needs of its population needs. Here are some countries that have the largest agricultural land in the world. Data were obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2020.
The Largest Agricultural Land Based on Continent
| Continent | Total of Agricultural Land in 2020 |
|---|---|
| (Hectare) | |
| Africa | 1,075,794,920 |
| Americas | 1,142,768,210 |
| Asia | 1,457,347,180 |
| Europe | 606,575,860 |
| Oceania | 460,360,440 |
| Source :FAOSTAT, 2023 | |
Based on the continent statistics, the large agricultural land mostly can be found in the several regions. Of all regions, The largest agricultural land is located in Asia wih total areal 1.4 billion hectares. The second-largest areas located in 1.1 billion hectares and the third largest is located in Africa with total area around 1 billion hectares. Meanwhile, Europe and Oceania have 606 million hectares and 460 million hectares, respectively
Table Rank of 10 World’s Countries with The Largest Agricultural Land
| Ranks | Countries | Total Agricultural Land in 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| (Hectare) | ||
| 1 | China, mainland | 527,714,000 |
| 2 | United States of America | 405,810,350 |
| 3 | Australia | 355,775,000 |
| 4 | Brazil | 236,878,800 |
| 5 | Russian Federation | 215,494,000 |
| 6 | Kazakhstan | 214,003,200 |
| 7 | India | 179,045,080 |
| 8 | Saudi Arabia | 173,595,920 |
| 9 | Mongolia | 112,699,550 |
| 10 | Argentina | 108,381,760 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | ||
Brief Description of Table Rank of 10 World’s Countries with The Largest Agricultural Land
1. China, mainland
China is a country that has world’s largest agricultural land with a total area of 527 million hectares. Agronomically, some of the China’s agricultureal lands are used to produce various food crops such as wheat (Triticum L.), rice (Oryza sativa), corn (Zea maize), sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), and potatoes (Solanum tuberosum).
Based on the FAO Statistical database, some agricultural lands are used to cultivate some plants and animals. Overall, in 2019, the biggest production agricultural commodity from China is maize with production reached 261 million tons, rice 211 million tons, wheat 133 million tons, and sugarcane 109 million tons, and potatoes with 91 million tons. Most of the harvested crops is to meet the domestic food of the country where the population of this country reaches 1.4 billion people. The Chinese Population is the highest in the world
2. United States of America
The United States of America has the second agricultural land area in the world after China. With a large area of around 9 million square kilometers (km2), this country obviously has a large agricultural land area. In 2020, according to FAO, the total area of agricultural land reaching 405 million hectares. With a total population of around 330 million people, this country certainly needs crops and livestock products that can meet the food needs of its citizens. Based on FAO data in 2019, the average agricultural land in America is for planting corn, soybeans, cattle breeding, wheat, sugar cane. In 2019, the biggest production of agricultural products from United States of America (USA) is maize with 347 million tons, followed by Cow’s milk with 99 million tons, soybean with 52 million tons, and sugarcane with 28 million tons.
3.Australia
This Kangaroo country, Australia, has the 3rd largest agricultural land area in the world. Based on FAO data in 2020, the area of agricultural land in this country around 355 million hectares. Based on the data table above, the largest production of agricultural commodity from Australia are sugarcane around 32 million tons, wheat around 17 million tons, cow’s milk at 6.8 million tons, and barley at 8.8 million tons. With a large potential for agricultural products, of course, Australia can are export the harvested crops and cattle such as cow’s milk and beef.
4.Brazil
Brazil is a country in the South American Region that also has the largest agricultural area. FAO data in 2020 shows that the area of agricultural land in Brazil reaches 236 million hectares. Based on FAO data in 2019, some of the largest commodities produced from this country are sugar cane at 752 million tons, soybeans at 114 million tons, maize with 101-million-ton, cow’s milk around 35 million tons, and several other leading commodities. In addition to meeting domestic needs, Brazil also exports its commodity to various countries such as sugar cane, soybeans, and corn.
5.Russian Federation
Russia has the 4th world’s largest agriculture area. Based on FAO Statistical Database (FAOStats), the Agricultural land area of Vladimir Putin’s Country is around 215 million hectares. With this huge area, Russia can do the agricultural activity extensively. Based on the FAO Statistical database in 2019, the biggest commodity of Russia is Wheat with 74 million tons, Sugar beet with 54 million tons, Cow’s milk with around 31 million tons, potatoes with 22 million tons, and Barley with 20 million tons.
6. Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan, which is in the Central Asian Region, has a land area of 214 million hectares. With this large area, Kazakhstan can export its crops to several countries such as wheat (wheat), linseed (linseed), sunflower. According to data released by FAO in 2020, this country has the largest yields, namely Wheat (Wheat) at 11 million tons, fresh cow’s milk at 5.8 million tons, wheat (barley) at 3.8 million tons, potatoes at 3.9 million tons, 1.3 million tons of watermelon and several other agricultural commodities.
7. India
India is the 7th country with the largest area of agricultural land. This wide area of this country around 3 million square kilometers (km2) and automatically has large area for agricultural activity. In 2020, Based on the FAO, the agricultural land area of India reached 179 million hectares (hm2). Based on production, the biggest agricultural commodity that is produced from India is sugarcane with 405 million tons, rice with 117 million tons, wheat with 103 million tons, Buffalo’s milk with 92 million tons, and cow’s milk with 90 million tons. With this huge production of several commodities, India strives to meet the consumption of huge citizens. The human population of India reaches 1.3 billion. One of the biggest populations in the world besides China.
8. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has the 8th world’s country with the largest agricultural area. The area of agricultural land reaches 173 million hectares. The usage of this agricultural land is for planting diverse crops and raising some cattle. Based on the FAO Statistical database, there are some biggest agricultural products from Saudi Arabia. These products are Cow’s milk with 2.9 million tons, dates with 1.5 million tons, chicken’s meat with 800 thousand tons, watermelon with 687 thousand tons, and barley with 627 thousand tons.
9. Mongolia
Mongolia is one of East Asia countries that has large agricultural land. Overall, the total area of agricultural land reaches 112 million hectares. Based on the production of Agricultural commodities, there are some important commodities that have been produced by this country. These products are Cow’s milk with 627 thousand tons, wheat with 411 thousand tons, Goat milk with 202 thousand tons, Potatoes with 192 thousand tons, and sheep’s meat with 168 thousand tons.
10. Argentina
Argentina is the 10th country with the largest agricultural area. According to the FAO Statistical database in 2020, the wide area of agricultural land reach 108 million hectares. The land is used to plant some agricultural commodities namely, maize, soybean, sugarcane, and another commodity. In Argentina, there are some commodities with the highest production. These commodities are maize with 56 million tons, soybean with 55 million tons, wheat with 19 million tons, sugarcane with 17 million tons, and cow’s milk with 10 million tons.
Bibliography of 10 World’s Countries with The Largest Agricultural Land
FAO. 2021. Agricultural land – Area (Top 10 Countries) 2020. Accessed via http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/RL/visualize on May 1, 2023
