Verbal Aptitude

A statistical study reveals that districts with higher fertilizer consumption have higher agricultural debt. A commentator claims that fertilizers cause farmer indebtedness. Which factor reverses the causal direction or provides a third variable?

Options:

• (A) Farmers in capital-intensive high-value farming systems borrow heavily to finance a wide bundle of inputs including seed, fuel, and machinery as well as fertilizer.
• (B) Fertilizers are sold in bags.
• (C) Banks provide agricultural credit.
• (D) Crops require nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.