The
breadbasket or the
granary of a country is a region which, because of richness of
soil and/or advantageous
climate, produces an agricultural surplus which is often considered vital for the country as a whole.
Rice bowl is a similar term used to refer to
Southeast Asia, and California's
Salinas Valley is often referred to as the world's
salad bowl. Such regions may be the subject of fierce political disputes which may even escalate into full military conflicts.