After an agonising moment, the audience applauded. I'm confused about the question but I hope this is what you meant. Sorry if I got this wrong
Direct democracy lets the citizens vote directly on important decisions. representative lets the elected representatives vote instead of the citizens.
Well for a long time throughout history farming has been a way to get food. Food is essential to survival, trading, and allows them to stay in one place rather than having to travel around looking for food. How do we know that it has been important? Writings, stories, it's what we are taught in school and it is common sense that if we have it today it had to have started at some point.