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STORY BY Shehe Gunda

most scientists agree that maize originated in central Mexico, domesticated 7-9,000 years ago from a wild grass called teosinte

most scientists agree that maize originated in central Mexico, domesticated 7-9,000 years ago from a wild grass called teosinte

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As a food, maize is used to make a wide variety of dishes including Mexican tortillas and tamales, Italian polenta, and American hominy grits. Maize protein is low in some essential amino acids, and the niacin it contains only becomes available if freed by alkali treatment. In Mesoamerica, maize is deified as a maize god and depicted in sculpturesMaize is cultivated throughout the world; a greater weight of maize is produced each year than any other grain. In 2020, world production was 1.1 billion tonnes. It is afflicted by many pests and diseases; two major insect pests, European corn borer and corn rootworms, have each caused annual losses of a billion dollars in the US. Modern plant breeding has greatly increased output and qualities such as nutrition, drought, and tolerance of pests and diseasesMaize is one of the world’s most important crops – responsible for roughly six percent of human calorie intake. Beyond human consumption it has a variety of uses, including for use as livestock feed, for fermentation for the American alcohol industry, and for production of plastics and ethanol. Globally, about a billion tons of maize is produced per yearAlthough maize has long been a significant crop on the European continent, it only became significant in the UK relatively recently, where it is mainly grown as food for livestock, and as game cover. Additionally, in recent decades the increasing trend for green power has driven farmers to use it as an energy crop for anaerobic digesters. The amount of maize grown in the UK has rocketed since the 1970s. In 1973 there was around 20,000 acres of maize being farmed in Britain, by 2016 this had reached 450,000 acres. And there is no sign of this growth slowing downAlthough maize has long been a significant crop on the European continent, it only became significant in the UK relatively recently, where it is mainly grown as food for livestock, and as game cover. Additionally, in recent decades the increasing trend for green power has driven farmers to use it as an energy crop for anaerobic digesters. The amount of maize grown in the UK has rocketed since the 1970s. In 1973 there was around 20,000 acres of maize being farmed in Britain, by 2016 this had reached 450,000 acres. And there is no sign of this growth slowing downe to its having smaller, fewer and more spaced out kernels, each surrounded by a tough casing. While it is descended from Teosinte, modern day corn, with its closely-packed kernels, does not exist in the wild and could not survive without human agricultural intervention. Early farmers in Mexico domesticated Teosinte by selecting the biggest and best kernels until the crop we recognise today as maize was arrived at. Maize spread fast because it was nutritious, easy to grow, easy to store and easy to carry. Domesticated maize initially spread south down the coast to Peru and beyond, as well as across the North Americas, until eventually Native Americans continent-wide had adopted it as a vital part of their diet. Before long, it was a staple food across most cultures in North and South America and the Caribbean. The Columbian Exchange The Columbian Exchange is the colloquial name for the wide-ranging exchange of disease, food, ideas and people that happened between the ‘New World’ – the Americas – and the ‘Old World’ – Europe, Africa and Asia. It is so-named because it occurred in the 15th and 16th centuries, during the flurry of trade and colonization in the region that came in the aftermath of Christopher Columbus’s 1492 voyage. It was during this period that maize, along with three other crops that were subsequently to become vital staples in the Old World – potatoes, sweet potatoes and cassava – were brought to Europe. As well as these staples, a range of other foods came too, such as peanuts and pineapples and cocoa beans chilli peppers. Maize La Santa Trinidad – a Spanish galleon. Earlier versions of such ships were used by the first European voyagers to reach the Americas When Europeans arrived in the Americas, maize was already being grown from Canada to Chile, although interestingly, very little was grown in the plains and savannahs of the central US and northern Argentina, areas which today are amongst the most productive agricultural areas in the world. This was because Native Americans practised slash and burn agriculture – which was not suitable for grassy areas. While it is possible that previous pre-Columbian contacts between the Old and New Worlds did occur, and that maize was first transported to the Old World at an earlier date, there is little doubt amongst archaeologists and historians that the first effective introduction of maize to the Old World – after which the crop became widespread – didn’t happen until after Columbus. Maize seeds and the plants that had grown from them were described in 1493 by one Peter Martyr, and one of the first European illustrations of corn was published in Venice in 1534 in Oviedeo’s Sumario de la

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Once upon a time, there was a family who lived in a beautiful house in the countryside. The house was surrounded by lush green .

Once upon a time, there was a family who lived in a beautiful house in the countryside. The house was surrounded by lush green .

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Once upon a time, there was a family who lived in a beautiful house at the end of the street. The house had a big garden with colorful flowers and a swing set for the children to play on. The family was very happy in their cozy home, but one day they noticed that the roof was leaking and the paint was peeling off the walls.The family knew they needed to fix up their beautiful house, but they didn't have enough money to do all the repairs. They decided to ask their neighbors for help, and to their surprise, the neighbors were more than happy to lend a hand. They all came together and worked on fixing the roof, painting the walls, and planting new flowers in the garden.After a few days of hard work, the house looked even more beautiful than before. The family was so grateful to their neighbors for all their help. They realized that having a beautiful house wasn't just about how it looked on the outside, but also about the love and support they received from their community.From that day on, the family and their neighbors became even closer, always looking out for each other and coming together to help whenever someone needed it. The beautiful house at the end of the street was not just a home, but a symbol of the strong bond that they all shared.WHEN AND WHERE BEAUTIFUL HOUSE DISCOVER Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Lily who loved exploring new places. One day, while she was out for a walk in the forest near her house, she stumbled upon a hidden path she had never noticed Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Lily who dreamt of having a beautiful house. She would spend hours drawing pictures of her dream home, with a big garden and a cozy fireplaceOne day, Lily's parents decided to help her make her dream come true. They saved up money and looked for the perfect house for their family. After months of searching, they finally found a house that was just right. It had a spacious living room, a kitchen with a large island, and a backyard with a swing set.Lily was overjoyed when she saw the house for the first time. She ran around the rooms, imagining how she would decorate them. Her parents helped her pick out paint colors and furniture, making sure that everything was exactly how she wanted it.As they settled into their new home, Lily realized that having a beautiful house wasn't just about the way it looked. It was about the love and care that went into making it a comfortable and happy place for her family. She enjoyed spending time in her new room, reading books and playing with her toys.From that day on, Lily was grateful for her beautiful house and the memories they made there. She learned that a house is not just a building, but a place where love and happiness can flourish. And she was thankful to have such a special place to call home. before. Curious, she decided to follow it and see where it led.As Lily walked along the path, she noticed that the trees were getting taller and the birds were singing louder. She felt like she was in a magical place. After walking for a while, she came across a clearing in the forest. In the middle of the clearing stood the most beautiful house she had ever seen.The house was made of wood and stone, with a thatched roof and colorful flowers blooming in the garden. Lily couldn't believe her eyes. She had discovered a hidden gem in the forest.She approached the house and knocked on the door. To her surprise, an old man answered. He welcomed her inside and told her that he had built the house many years ago with his own hands. He shared stories of the forest and the animals that lived there.Lily was amazed by the man's kindness and the beauty of the house. She thanked him for sharing his home with her and promised to visit again soon. As she made her way back home, she felt grateful for the unexpected discovery and the new friend she had made.From that day on, Lily visited the beautiful house in the forest regularly, cherishing the peaceful moments she spent there. And she always remembered that sometimes, the most wonderful things can be found in the most unexpected places.Once upon a time, there was a family who lived in a beautiful house at the end of the street. The house had a big garden with colorful flowers and a swing set for the children to play on. The family was very happy in their cozy home, but one day they noticed that the roof was leaking and the paint was peeling off the walls.The family knew they needed to fix up their beautiful house, but they didn't have enough money to do all the repairs. They decided to ask their neighbors for help, and to their surprise, the neighbors were more than happy to lend a hand. They all came together and worked on fixing the roof, painting the walls, and planting new flowers in the garden.After a few days of hard work, the house looked even more beautiful than before. The family was so grateful to their neighbors for all their help. They realized that having a beautif

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