Which agricultural innovation allowed for more efficient farming near the end of the Middle Ages?

The introduction of windmills significantly improved agricultural efficiency near the end of the Middle Ages due to their ability to harness wind power for various agricultural tasks. Windmills were primarily used for grinding grain into flour, which was essential for food production. By mechanizing this labor-intensive process, windmills reduced the amount of manual work required and increased the speed of production. This innovation was part of a broader trend during the period that aimed to enhance productivity and support growing populations.

While crop rotation and systematic irrigation were important agricultural practices during the Middle Ages, windmills represented a technological advancement that directly applied power to farming operations, allowing for more consistent and efficient grain processing. The introduction of tractors, on the other hand, occurred much later, during the industrial revolution, thus making it an anachronistic option in this context. Overall, windmills played a key role in transforming agricultural practices at the time, leading to increased efficiency and productivity in farming.