The word indigenous in the passage is closest in meaning to:

Across the semi-arid Sahelian belt bordering northern Nigeria, desertification driven by erratic rainfall and soil erosion poses acute threats to pastoral livelihoods. In response, indigenous agrarian communities have revived the traditional zai pit technique. Farmers dig shallow basins into hardpan clay soils prior to seasonal monsoon rains, filling each depression with organic compost and livestock manure. Termites attracted to the organic matter burrow subterranean channels, dramatically increasing soil permeability and rainwater infiltration. When drought-resistant sorghum and millet seeds are planted within the pits, crop yields frequently quadruple compared to conventional flat tillage, demonstrating the efficacy of affordable, nature-based agricultural resilience.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. local and native

  1. Step 1: Analyze the contextual meaning of "indigenous" in the phrase: "...indigenous agrarian communities have revived the traditional zai pit technique."
  2. Step 2: The adjective "indigenous" refers to peoples, communities, or knowledge originating naturally in a particular region, making "local and native" the closest synonym.
Answer
local and native.

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