5.3 Agricultural Origins and Diffusion

The major agricultural hearth near Nicaragua is Mesoamerica, which includes parts of modern-day Mexico and Central America. This region is known for its rich diversity of plants and animals, and it provided different microclimates and resources for agriculture. 

As for the year, it’s challenging to pinpoint a specific year as agriculture developed over a long period of time. However, it’s widely accepted that the domestication of plants and animals in Mesoamerica began around 10,000 years ago during the Neolithic Revolution.

Identify the EARLIEST crops and livestock (if possible) that originated in your country.

The earliest crops that originated in the region of Nicaragua, which is part of the Mesoamerican agricultural hearth, include maize (corn), beans, and squash. These crops were cultivated by the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica thousands of years ago and formed the basis of their diet. As for livestock, the first cattle were brought to Nicaragua by the Spanish in the 16th century. 

Before the arrival of the Spanish, the indigenous peoples of Nicaragua did not practice livestock farming on a large scale. They relied more on hunting, fishing, and gathering, along with their cultivated crops.

Identify how agriculture diffused into your country. 

Agriculture in Nicaragua, like in many parts of the Americas, was influenced by the diffusion of crops and farming practices from the Mesoamerican agricultural hearth. This region, which includes parts of modern-day Mexico and Central America, is known for its early cultivation of crops such as maize (corn), beans, and squash. 

The diffusion of these crops and associated agricultural practices into Nicaragua likely occurred through trade and migration of indigenous peoples over thousands of years. The Spanish colonization in the 16th century also brought new crops and livestock, further influencing agricultural practices.