Question

Which one of the following is the least labour intensive cultivation method?

• A. Plantation agriculture
• B. Subsistence agriculture
• C. Extensive commercial cultivation
• D. Market gardening

Hint:

More machines = Less labour → Extensive farming.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Labour intensity in agriculture depends on farm size, level of mechanisation, and purpose of production. Large-scale mechanised farming generally requires less manual labour.
Step 1: {\color{red}Understanding least labour-intensive farming.
Least labour-intensive methods use large machines and fewer workers per unit of land.
Step 2: {\color{red}Evaluate the options.}

• Plantation agriculture:
  Requires a large workforce for planting, harvesting, and processing.
• Subsistence agriculture:
  Highly labour-intensive due to traditional tools and manual work.
• Extensive commercial cultivation:
  Practised on large farms using heavy mechanisation (e.g., wheat farming in prairies).
  Requires minimal labour per unit area.
• Market gardening:
  Intensive farming with high labour input for perishable crops.

Step 3: {\color{red}Conclusion.
Extensive commercial cultivation uses mechanisation and large landholdings, making it the least labour-intensive method. \[ \boxed{(C)\ \text{Extensive commercial cultivation}} \]