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.

Horticulture does play a significant role in improving rural livelihoods, and the reason for this is that it creates employment opportunities in various activities like cultivation, processing, and marketing of horticultural products.

Horticulture encompasses the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants. It involves a range of activities, from preparing the land and planting crops to harvesting, processing, packaging, and marketing the final products. These activities require a significant amount of labor, providing employment opportunities for rural communities.

By engaging in horticultural activities, rural communities can generate income and improve their livelihoods. Small-scale farmers and rural entrepreneurs can cultivate horticultural crops, set up nurseries, establish processing units for value-added products, or engage in the marketing and distribution of horticultural products.

The diverse employment opportunities offered by horticulture contribute to rural development, poverty reduction, and overall economic growth in rural areas. Additionally, horticultural crops often have higher value and profitability compared to traditional field crops, providing farmers with better income-generating prospects.

Therefore, the assertion that horticulture plays a significant role in improving rural livelihoods is true, and the reason that it creates employment opportunities in various horticultural activities is the correct explanation for this assertion.