Many of the agrarian problems persist in contemporary India. The new…

The correct answer is Option (3) → Writing petitions to the government

Option (1) Blocking of roads and railways — A novel method (Incorrect). The new farmers’ movements, which began in the 1970s in Punjab and Tamil Nadu, used novel methods of agitation, and blocking roads and railways was one of them.

Option (2) Refusing politicians entry into villages — A novel method (Incorrect). Keeping politicians out of the villages was another of these methods, in keeping with the movements’ strongly anti-state and non-party ideology.

Option (3) Writing petitions to the government — Not a novel method (Correct). A petition is a written request to the authorities, the old and ordinary way of putting forward a demand. The farmers’ movements were known for direct action: blocking roads and railways and refusing politicians and bureaucrats entry to their villages.

Option (4) Refusing bureaucrats’ entry to villages — A novel method (Incorrect). Along with politicians, bureaucrats were refused entry to the villages.