What agricultural products were first cultivated in the Yellow River Valley?

The correct answer is rice and millet, which were among the first agricultural products cultivated in the Yellow River Valley in ancient China. This region, often referred to as the cradle of Chinese civilization, provided a fertile environment conducive to agricultural development.

Rice was domesticated in the southern regions of China and later became a staple food, while millet was one of the earliest grains cultivated, particularly in the northern parts, including the Yellow River Valley. These crops played a significant role in the diet and agricultural practices of early Chinese societies, allowing for population growth and the establishment of settled communities.

In the context of the other options, corn and wheat, beans and potatoes, as well as squash and barley, were not indigenous to the Yellow River Valley and were cultivated in different geographical regions. Corn and wheat have their origins in the Americas and the Near East, respectively, while beans and potatoes are native to the Americas, and squash and barley also have separate cultivation histories that do not trace back to the Yellow River Valley. This highlights the importance of understanding specific agricultural innovations within their respective origins.