The best explanation for how the agricultural transition shown in the images helped meet a challenge of contemporary agriculture is:
Option B: The increased crop yield produced more food for a growing global urban and industrial population.
This option highlights the importance of increased efficiency and productivity in farming, which is essential to meet the food demands of an expanding population, particularly in urban areas. The transition from manual grain harvesting to mechanized methods typically leads to higher yields and reduced labor demands, addressing food security challenges associated with population growth.