Why are plant called producers in the food chain?

Plants are called producers in the food chain because they can create their own food through the process of photosynthesis, using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water. This ability allows them to convert solar energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, which serves as the primary energy source for themselves and other organisms. As the foundation of most food chains, producers support herbivores (primary consumers) and, subsequently, carnivores (secondary and tertiary consumers). Thus, they play a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem's energy flow.