Answer :
Final answer:
Conventional farming can cause environmental issues, with a viable solution being the use of pest-resistant crops and integrated pest management techniques. These methods reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides, favoring environmental sustainability and the adoption of biotechnological advances to support agricultural productivity. The correct option is a.
Explanation:
Conventional farming has a high risk for creating environmental problems. One potential solution to help mitigate such issues is a. relying more on growing pest-resistant crops and using other integrated pest management techniques.
This approach allows for a reduction in the use of synthetic pesticides by employing biological and cultural control strategies, which can help preserve the environment and protect human health. In contrast, increasing the production of grain-fed beef and dairy (option d) could actually exacerbate environmental pressures because of the high resource demands associated with these practices.
Integrated pest management (IPM) aims to keep pest populations below economically harmful levels by prioritizing approaches with the lowest environmental impact. It includes the use of biotechnological advances in agriculture, such as Bt crops, and the minimization of chemical inputs.
Moreover, sustainable agriculture practices, which often overlap with organic farming, emphasize crop rotation, intercropping, and minimal tillage, all of which contribute to soil fertility and biodiversity. The correct option is a.