The agricultural scenario in country almia has changed considerably over the last forty years. while the population employed in agriculture declined from 60 percent to just over 20 percent during this time, the total production of food crops more than doubled. large farms became larger, while many small farmers who were unable to improve efficiency were driven out of the market. there was a substantial decline in the prices of most food crops during this period. with mechanization and improved productivity, market analysts had in fact predicted a sharper fall in the prices of food crops. however, although prices did decline, they did not fall as much as anticipated. which of the following, if true, would explain this outcome?

a. a pesticide-resistant fungal parasite that attacks only cotton plants has reduced cotton production in the last five years.
b. the government of almia has successfully controlled the overall increase in price level.
c. the farm land used for the cultivation of food crops has increased by 10 percent in the last forty years.
d. food crop exports increased at a faster rate than the increase in food crop production.
e. fertilizer subsidies provided to farmers increased significantly in the last forty years.