In the question given below there are 2 statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Choose the correct alternative from the following options.

Assertion (A)- In China, the area suitable for cultivation is only about 10 per cent of its total land area.

Reason (R)- In China, topographic and climatic conditions are not favorable for cultivation.

Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation.

The correct answer is Option 1: Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation.

Assertion (A)- In China, the area suitable for cultivation is only about 10 per cent of its total land area. This is correct. This is due to various factors, including mountainous terrain, deserts, and other inhospitable regions.

Reason (R)- In China, topographic and climatic conditions are not favorable for cultivation. This is also correct. Many parts of the country are mountainous, with steep slopes that are difficult to cultivate. Additionally, China experiences a wide range of climates, from cold and dry in the north to hot and humid in the south, which can pose challenges for farming.

(R) is the correct explanation of (A): The limited area suitable for cultivation in China is directly a result of the unfavorable topographic and climatic conditions. The mountainous terrain and varying climates make it difficult to cultivate crops in many parts of the country.

"In China, due to topographic and climatic conditions, the area suitable for cultivation is relatively small — only about 10 per cent of its total land area. The total cultivable area in China accounts for 40 per cent of the cultivable area in India. Until the 1980s, more than 80 per cent of the people in China were dependent on farming as their sole source of livelihood. Since then, the government encouraged people to leave their fields and pursue other activities such as handicrafts, commerce and transport."