Which crops can be grown in Colombia because of its different elevation zones?

Colombia’s diverse topography and vertical climate zones—ranging from tierra caliente (hot lands) to tierra fría (cold lands) and the high-altitude páramos—allow for the cultivation of a wide variety of crops.12

Key crops grown across these elevations include:

• Warm and Temperate Zones: Sugarcane is a major crop in these areas, particularly on the alluvial lands of the Cauca valley. Cassava (yuca) is also grown in the tierra caliente, while bananas and plantains are significant fruit crops, with many exported from the Caribbean coast.2
• Coffee-Growing Regions: Coffee is the backbone of the economy, thriving best at elevations between 3,300 and 6,300 feet (1,000 to 1,900 metres) in the central Andean ranges.2
• Highlands and Cool Zones: Potatoes are a prominent crop in the cooler highlands, such as the Nariño plateau and the Cordillera Oriental. Wheat is grown on the margins of the páramos, and barley is also produced.2
• Widespread Crops: Corn is a traditional staple grown throughout the country, except in the páramos zones. Other widely grown crops include kidney beans, sorghum, cotton, and various fruits.2