Correct Answer: Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.

Solution : The correct answer is (a) Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.

Dairying does contribute to rural employment generation, and the reason for this is that it involves various activities like animal husbandry, milk collection, and dairy product processing.

Dairying encompasses a range of activities related to the rearing and management of dairy animals, such as cows and buffaloes. These activities include feeding, breeding, healthcare, and milking. Additionally, dairying involves the collection, transportation, and processing of milk to produce various dairy products like butter, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.

These activities create employment opportunities in rural areas. Farmers and their families are directly engaged in animal husbandry and milk production. The collection and transportation of milk often involve a network of milk producers, milk collection centers, and dairy cooperatives, providing additional employment opportunities.

Furthermore, dairy processing units require workers for tasks such as milk processing, packaging, quality control, and distribution. These processing units can range from small-scale cottage industries to large dairy corporations, contributing to employment generation in both rural and urban areas.

The dairy sector's labor-intensive nature and the involvement of various activities from animal care to processing make it a significant source of employment, especially in rural communities where agriculture is a dominant economic activity.

Therefore, the assertion that dairying contributes to rural employment generation is true, and the reason that it involves various activities like animal husbandry, milk collection, and dairy product processing is the correct explanation for this assertion.