What is Boserup's main idea in response to Malthusian constraints?

What is Boserup's main idea in response to Malthusian constraints?

• A. Population growth prompts agricultural intensification and technological change to increase food production.
• B. Population growth leads to famine.
• C. Technological advances are unnecessary.
• D. Food production remains constant.

Answer: (A)

Boserup argues that when population grows, agricultural practices become more intensive and new technologies are adopted to raise food production. The idea is that people respond to higher demand by innovating and intensifying farming, not by famine or stagnation. This induced innovation means farmers upgrade from extensive methods to more productive uses of land and inputs—think higher-yield crops, irrigation, better seeds, and improved farming techniques as population pressure increases. In contrast, options that predict famine, unnecessary technology, or constant production don’t fit her view that human ingenuity and adaptation respond to growing needs.

Boserup argues that when population grows, agricultural practices become more intensive and new technologies are adopted to raise food production. The idea is that people respond to higher demand by innovating and intensifying farming, not by famine or stagnation. This induced innovation means farmers upgrade from extensive methods to more productive uses of land and inputs—think higher-yield crops, irrigation, better seeds, and improved farming techniques as population pressure increases. In contrast, options that predict famine, unnecessary technology, or constant production don’t fit her view that human ingenuity and adaptation respond to growing needs.