The mechanization of agriculture has resulted in all of the following except __________.

• A. a reduction in the need for manual labor
• B. greater efficiency in the use of land and capital
• C. an increase in agricultural productivity
• D. higher costs of production due to increased labor requirements

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of mechanization in agriculture, which typically involves the introduction of machines to replace or supplement manual labor.
2. Step 2: Analyze the effects of mechanization on labor demand. Since machines perform tasks previously done by humans, mechanization usually reduces the need for manual labor.
3. Step 3: Consider the impact on efficiency. Mechanization often leads to greater efficiency in the use of land and capital because machines can work faster and more precisely than manual labor.
4. Step 4: Evaluate productivity changes. Mechanization generally increases agricultural productivity by enabling more output per unit of input (land, labor, capital).
5. Step 5: Identify the incorrect statement. Since mechanization reduces labor needs, it does not increase labor requirements, so higher costs due to increased labor are not a typical result.