Which of the following is a strategy for improved agricultural techniques?

Using selective breeding for higher yields is indeed a recognized strategy for improving agricultural techniques. This method involves choosing specific plants or animals with desirable traits and breeding them to produce offspring that exhibit improved characteristics, such as greater resilience, better nutritional content, or higher productivity. By focusing on the genetic potential of crops or livestock, farmers can enhance their yields, which is crucial for meeting the increasing food demands without needing to expand agricultural land.

This technique not only improves productivity but can also lead to more sustainable agricultural practices by creating varieties that are better suited to local conditions, requiring less water or fewer chemical inputs. It plays a significant role in modern agriculture, enabling farmers to adapt to changing environmental conditions and pressures such as pests and diseases, thus contributing to food security.

Other strategies, while beneficial in their own contexts, may not directly focus on improving crop or livestock yields in the same way as selective breeding does. Increasing crop variety can enhance biodiversity and resilience in farming systems but does not necessarily lead to higher individual yields. Limiting fertilizer use addresses environmental concerns and sustainability, yet can sometimes lead to reduced crop productivity if not managed properly. Encouraging subsistence farming is important for certain communities but may not scale efficiently to meet broader food production needs. Each of these other approaches has