One characteristic feature of intensive farming is that, it is practised in urban centres where

Analyze the question: The question asks about a characteristic of intensive farming and the condition in urban centres where it is practised.

Explain the concept: Intensive farming means getting a high yield from a small piece of land. To do this, farmers put in a lot of labour, capital, fertilizers, improved seeds, irrigation, and pesticides. Examples include market gardening, poultry farming, and dairy farming close to cities. It is common where land is scarce and there is a ready market for the produce.

Step-by-step solution:

• Option A: water supply is inadequate. Intensive farming needs a good water supply, often through irrigation, so this is wrong.
• Option B: human population is high. Urban centres have many people, so land is limited and expensive. Farmers must use small plots intensively. The large population also creates strong demand for fresh produce such as vegetables, eggs, milk, and poultry. This fits.
• Option C: human population is low. A low population means land is plentiful, which suits extensive farming, such as large-scale ranching or shifting cultivation. This is wrong.
• Option D: demand for produce is low. Low demand would discourage heavy investment in farming. This is wrong.

Answer: The correct option is B. Intensive farming is practised in urban centres because the human population is high, which means land is scarce and demand for farm produce is strong.

Exam tip: Link the two farming types to land and population:

• Intensive = small land, high input, high yield, high population.
• Extensive = large land, low input, low population density.