Assertion (A) : In areas of intensive subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry plays an insignificant role. Reason (R) : Throughout the region, the farmers are handicapped in raising cattle due to lack of scientific methods of breeding.

Assertion (A) is false because animal husbandry is not insignificant in intensive subsistence agriculture; rather, it is an integral component. In densely populated monsoon Asia, livestock like cattle and buffaloes are essential for draught power in manual agricultural operations and provide farmyard manure to maintain soil fertility [2]. While the livestock industry may be less profitable than in temperate regions, animals are reared for both domestic and commercial purposes [3]. Reason (R) is true as farmers in these regions face significant handicaps. The high population pressure leads to very small landholdings, leaving little space for dedicated pastures [2]. Consequently, there is a lack of scientific breeding and modern inputs, as the focus remains on labor-intensive food crop production to sustain the family rather than specialized commercial ranching [4]. Thus, while the role of animals is significant, their development is hindered by systemic constraints.

Sources

1. [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 30: Climatic Regions > Population and Economy in Monsoon Climate > p. 433
2. [3] FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Primary Activities > Commercial Livestock Rearing > p. 24
3. [4] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 11: Agriculture - Part II > 11.2 Farming System and Cropping Pattern in India > p. 336