According to Schlosser, how does the fast-food industry influence agricultural practices?

The fast-food industry significantly influences agricultural practices primarily through its preference for monoculture and industrial farming methods. This preference arises from the industry's need for large quantities of uniform products that can be mass-produced consistently year-round. Monoculture involves the cultivation of a single crop over a large area, which enables faster production and easier harvesting but at the cost of biodiversity and soil health.

By driving demand for specific crops, such as corn, soybeans, and wheat, the fast-food industry contributes to the dominance of these crops in farming. This reliance often leads farmers to adopt industrial farming practices, which typically include the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to maximize yield. Such practices can have detrimental effects on the environment, including soil degradation and water pollution, further entrenching the cycle of industrial agriculture.

The other options suggest more environmentally friendly or sustainable practices, but they do not accurately reflect the reality of how the fast-food industry shapes agricultural systems. Rather than promoting organic farming or sustainable development, the industry's demands often lead to practices that prioritize efficiency and cost reduction over ecological health.