Final answer:
Intercropping may have higher initial costs per acre but can lead to greater revenue per acre for Farm A due to long-term benefits such as improved ecosystem services, increased biodiversity, and reduced dependency on artificial inputs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Intercropping is an agricultural technique involving growing two or more crops in proximity for benefits such as improved soil quality, increased biodiversity, and enhanced pest management. Compared to monoculture, where a single crop is grown year after year on the same land, intercropping on Farm A likely has higher initial costs due to the complexities of managing multiple crops together. However, it is associated with several long-term benefits that include reduced need for artificial fertilizers and pesticides, and better species interaction, leading to a more stable ecosystem and potentially higher revenue per acre.
Sustainable farming practices are increasingly being recognized for their ability to produce higher food yields, reduce fertilizer costs, and build healthier soils without relying on genetically modified organisms. Intercropping is one such practice and is particularly effective because of the ecosystem services it provides, such as enhanced nutrient cycling and improved water infiltration. Statistically, studies show that diverse crop ecosystems are more efficient and less prone to pest outbreaks.
Therefore, it can be inferred that intercropping may have higher overall costs per acre but allows Farm A to bring in more revenue per acre due to the long-term sustainability and efficiency of the practice (Option D).