Which term best describes agriculture powered by human and animal muscle with traditional fertilizers?

• A. Modern farming
• B. Industrial farming
• C. Organic farming
• D. Traditional farming

Answer: (D)

The key idea is energy source and inputs used in farming. Traditional farming describes systems that rely on human and animal power rather than machines, and use natural fertilizers like manure and compost rather than synthetic chemicals. This leads to small-scale, mixed farming often seen in traditional rural life, with hand tools, oxen or horses, and inputs from livestock.

Modern farming uses machinery and chemical fertilizers, reflecting a shift to high-energy, industrial methods. Industrial farming emphasizes large-scale production with heavy mechanization and often specialization. Organic farming, while using natural inputs such as manure and compost, focuses on avoiding synthetic chemicals and may still use modern machinery, so it isn’t defined by energy source alone. Given the emphasis on human and animal muscle and traditional fertilizers, the best fit is traditional farming.