What feature of agriculture is associated with technological advancements?

The association between agricultural features and technological advancements is prominently linked to the establishment of permanent human settlements. With the advent of agriculture, societies transitioned from nomadic lifestyles to settled communities that engaged in farming. This shift allowed for greater investment in technology, such as the development of tools for sowing, harvesting, irrigation systems, and methods for processing crops. As people settled in one place, they could focus on improving agricultural practices, which led to surplus production, population growth, and the eventual rise of complex societies.

While the other options touch on various consequences of agriculture, they do not directly represent a feature associated with technological advancements in the same foundational way. Increased health issues often arise from agricultural practices but are more of a consequence than a direct feature of technological advancements. Resource conflicts can occur due to competition over land and resources, and soil pollution is a modern concern arising from intensive farming techniques, but these are not features that are principally linked to the advancement of technology in agriculture itself. The focus on permanent settlements thus highlights how technology and agriculture co-evolved, providing a stable base for advancements in various aspects of human life.