What is truck farming, and in which region is it particularly prominent?

• A. Large-scale grain production for local consumption
• B. Ranching and cattle herding in the pampas
• C. Market-oriented horticultural farming for distant markets; prominent in California's Central Valley
• D. Subsistence farming in tropical rainforests

Answer: (C)

Truck farming is market-oriented horticulture where crops are grown mainly to be sold in distant markets rather than for local consumption. It focuses on high-value fruits and vegetables and relies on efficient transport, storage, and distribution to reach urban centers far away. California's Central Valley is a classic example because its warm, long growing season, abundant irrigation, and proximity to major West Coast cities make it ideal for producing crops like strawberries, lettuce, and other produce for distant markets. The other options describe practices that aren’t about shifting produce to distant markets or aren’t horticulture-based: grain farming for local use, ranching in the pampas, and subsistence farming in tropical rainforests.