Which of the following statements are NOT correct with reference to Von Thünen’s Agricultural Location Theory?

(a) His ideas were based on Weaver’s concept of economic rent.
(b) Navigable river or irrigation facilities do not have any impact on concentric land use zones.
(c) In real life, farmers are always economic and rational in decision-making.
(d) Firewood and timber production zone has lost its validity.
(e) Isotropic surfaces are universal in Asia.

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct option is D

His ideas were based on Weaver’s concept of economic rent. → Incorrect

• Von Thünen’s theory is based on Ricardo’s concept of economic rent, not Weaver’s.
• Weaver’s contributions were related to crop combinations and agricultural regionalization, not location rent.

Navigable river or irrigation facilities do not have any impact on concentric land use zones. → Incorrect

• Von Thünen’s model assumes an "isolated state" with uniform land. However, in real life, rivers, roads, and irrigation facilities significantly affect land use patterns.
• Land use is influenced by transportation accessibility, making this statement incorrect.

In real life, farmers are always economic and rational in decision-making. → Incorrect

• Von Thünen’s model assumes farmers act purely rationally based on profit maximization.
• However, in real life, farmers' decisions are influenced by social, cultural, and personal factors, making this assumption unrealistic.

Isotropic surfaces are universal in Asia. → Incorrect

• An isotropic surface means a perfectly uniform landscape, which rarely exists in reality.
• Asia has diverse topography with mountains, rivers, deserts, and urban centers, making this assumption incorrect.

Information Booster:

• Von Thünen’s model explains agricultural land use based on distance from the market and transportation costs.
• Ricardo’s economic rent theory influenced Von Thünen, not Weaver.
• Real-world factors like roads, rivers, and technology alter land use patterns.
• Farmers do not always act rationally; cultural and policy factors also influence their decisions.
• An isotropic surface is an idealized assumption, not a real-world condition, especially in Asia.

Additional Knowledge:

​Firewood and timber production zone has lost its validity. → Correct

• In modern times, fuelwood and timber production have declined due to alternative energy sources and conservation policies.
• This is a valid observation, so it is not incorrect.

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