Which of the following is an example of a cash crop and may impact local food security by generating income but reducing land for staple foods?

• A. Coffee
• B. Rice
• C. Wheat
• D. Corn

Answer: (A)

Cash crops are grown mainly to be sold in markets rather than for local consumption. Coffee is a prime example because it is produced for export to earn income for farmers and their country. When land and resources are directed toward coffee, less land is available for staple foods that households rely on for daily meals. This can improve income and purchasing power in the short term, but it also ties local food security to the global coffee market and to weather and crop risks. If coffee prices fall or yields drop, households may struggle to afford enough staple foods. In short, coffee fits the idea of a cash crop that can raise income while reducing land for staples and potentially impacting local food security.