Final answer:
Africa cultivates a diverse array of crops, including staples like yams, cassava, maize, plantains, and African rice. Cash crops like palm oil, coffee, and cotton play significant roles in the economy, and traditional crops such as okra and peanuts remain important in African cuisine and agriculture.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Africa, a wide variety of crops are cultivated, reflecting the continent's diverse climates and agricultural practices. Staple crops such as yams, cassava, maize, and plantains have been historically important, while the domestication of African rice (Oryza glaberrima) by the Niger-Congo peoples around 3000 BCE is particularly noteworthy.
Other significant crops include sorghum, peanuts, and sesame seeds. Exotic fruits like bananas are also popular, as well as palm oil which is a major crop not only in Africa but also globally. Moreover, coffee and cotton are prominent cash crops, especially in the countries within the Sub-Saharan region, serving as major export products. The cultivation of okra and the use of groundnuts (peanuts) can be traced back to the historical influence of African agricultural practices.
Today, these crops are central to the African economy and cuisine, providing the basis for various traditional dishes and forming a critical part of the continental trade and export infrastructure.