Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Agricultural sustainability rests on ecological, economic, social, and productive pillars. The ecological foundation is essential for long-term food production.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Assertion analysis: While economic viability and social acceptability are necessary for sustainable agriculture, biophysical productivity and ecological viability are the foundational pillars. If the soil, water, and biological resource base degrades, long-term food production ceases, validating the Assertion.
- Reason analysis: Global food security depends on maintaining per capita food output. This long-term output relies on preserving the ecological base (soil health, water quality, biodiversity). Thus, the Reason is correct and explains why ecological viability and productivity are the most fundamental aspects of sustainability.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).