How do pests affect crop yields?

Pests play a significant role in agricultural challenges, primarily by inflicting damage on crops, which directly results in reduced yields. When pests such as insects, rodents, or certain pathogens infest crops, they can harm plants through feeding, transmitting diseases, or creating conditions that promote rot and decay. This damage can lead to a decline in the quantity and quality of harvested produce, ultimately affecting the overall productivity of the farm.

Moreover, the presence of pests often forces farmers to invest additional resources into pest control measures. These may include the application of pesticides, increased labor for manual removal, or adopting integrated pest management strategies. Such expenditures raise production costs, which can further diminish the profitability of farming operations.

This understanding of pest impact emphasizes the importance of effective pest management practices in agriculture to maintain healthy crop yields and manage production costs effectively. The other options either misrepresent the role of pests in agriculture or underestimate their negative effects, highlighting the significance of pests as a primary threat to crop production.