For an area with tropical weather but few skilled workers, the best economic strategy would be:
a. focus on growing high-yield crops.
This strategy leverages the region's climatic advantages while accommodating the current lack of skilled labor. High-yield crop cultivation can lead to increased agricultural productivity and provide employment opportunities for unskilled or semi-skilled workers. It also has the potential for export, contributing to economic growth.
While options like developing education and a technology sector (c) and building specialized factories (d) are important for long-term economic development, they may not be immediately feasible given the current workforce skills. Urban planning and housing (b) could support the economy but would not directly address immediate economic productivity. Thus, focusing on agriculture would be the most practical immediate strategy.