Which of the following best describes the type of economy reliant solely on self-sufficiency in agricultural practices?

Subsistence agriculture is best described as an economic system where individuals or families produce just enough food to meet their own needs, with little or no surplus for sale or trade. This type of farming is characterized by small-scale, family-run operations that depend heavily on local resources and traditional farming methods. The primary aim is to sustain the farmer's household rather than to generate profit or engage in broader market exchanges.

In the context of this question, subsistence agriculture is the correct answer because it encapsulates the concept of self-sufficiency, where the focus is on growing enough food to sustain the farmers and their families. This is in stark contrast to commercial agriculture, which is geared towards generating profit through the sale of crops and livestock, thus not emphasizing self-sufficiency. Industrial agriculture refers to large-scale farming practices that often utilize advanced technology and chemical inputs to maximize production, while factory-based agriculture involves animal or crop farming operations that function similarly to manufacturing plants, aiming for high output rather than sustenance.