Southwest Asia: The Fertile Crescent, a region encompassing parts of present-day Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and Turkey, is widely considered one of the earliest centers of plant cultivation. Agriculture in this region dates back to around 9000 BCE with crops like wheat, barley, lentils, and peas being cultivated.
China: In the Yellow River Valley in China, plant cultivation emerged independently, with early evidence suggesting agriculture began around 7000 BCE. Crops such as rice, millet, and soybeans were among the first cultivated plants in China.
Mesoamerica: In modern-day Mexico and Central America, plant cultivation developed from around 5000 BCE. Maize (corn), beans, squash, and chile peppers were some of the main crops domesticated by ancient civilizations in this region.
Andes region of South America: In the Andean region, particularly in the present-day countries of Peru and Bolivia, plant cultivation began around 4000 BCE. Crops like potatoes, quinoa, and llama beans were among the early domesticated plants.
West Africa: In West Africa, crops such as millet, sorghum, and rice were domesticated around 5000-3000 BCE. This region is considered a center for the early cultivation of certain important grains.
These regions are notable for the independent emergence of plant cultivation and the development of agriculture, which subsequently spread and diversified to other parts of the world.