How did Champa rice affect Song agriculture and population?

• A. It decreased yields leading to urban depopulation.
• B. It had no significant impact on agriculture or population.
• C. It increased yields, enabling population growth and urbanization.
• D. It caused soil depletion and famine.

Answer: (C)

Champa rice introduced a fast‑maturing, higher‑yield variety from the Champa region that could be grown with irrigation and good field management, often allowing additional harvests in a year. That made food supplies more reliable and dramatically boosted output per acre. With more calories available, the Song population could grow, and surpluses supported denser urban centers where trade, crafts, and administration expanded. In short, agricultural productivity rose, enabling population growth and urbanization.

The other ideas don’t fit because the evidence shows increased yields and a stronger food base, not fewer yields, no impact, or widespread famine.