Final answer:
Small-holder agriculture involves small farms that use family labor and simple tools to produce crops for subsistence and income, accounting for a significant portion of the global agricultural landscape and contributing to sustainable resource use.
Step-by-step explanation:
“_ is small-scale agriculture using simple tools with very little inputs.” This definition refers to smallholder agriculture:
Smallholder agriculture is characterized by farms that are typically smaller than two hectares and predominantly use family labor. These farms rely on minimal inputs and are often managed for subsistence needs, providing food security and income to hundreds of millions, particularly in developing nations. While they comprise roughly 80% of global farms, smallholders face significant challenges due to climate change, given their reliance on rainfed crops and location in marginal landscapes.
Smallholder farmers frequently engage in practices such as composting, crop diversification, organic pesticide production, seed multiplication, and agro-forestry to enhance sustainability and long-term food production. As opposed to intensive agriculture, which focuses on maximizing yields through advanced techniques and machinery, smallholder agriculture relies on labor-intensive, simple methodologies that often coexist along with pastoralism and gathering-hunting. In essence, smallholder agriculture provides an essential base for the livelihood of a large number of families and is key to sustainable resource use.