Final answer:
Farmers run the risk of starvation if crop failures occur due to environmental causes, pests, or economic downturns that lead to unmanageable debts and potential loss of land, especially when dependent on monoculture or cash crops for export.
Step-by-step explanation:
Because of dependence on a limited number of crops, farmers ran the risk of starvation if they experienced crop failure due to environmental conditions like drought or if their crops were attacked by pests. This risk was exacerbated in systems where agriculture focused heavily on monocropping or cash crops for export instead of food crops for local consumption. The fragility of such an agricultural system was reflected in the historical episodes like the Soviet government's collection of the entire harvest, leaving nothing for farmers, or the Great Plains farmers' expansion of wheat production with devastating soil repercussions. Furthermore, during times of economic downturns, falling commodity prices, or high-interest loans from wealthier neighbors, farmers could face debt spirals, losing their lands and their means of subsistence, which could lead to famine and widespread malnutrition. Balancing cash crops with diverse food production and implementing sustainable agricultural practices are essential strategies to prevent such crises.