Here's why:
* Serfdom: Russia was a largely agrarian society with a system of serfdom. This meant that most peasants were tied to the land and worked for landowners.
* Limited Industrialization: Industrialization was still in its early stages in Russia at this time.
* Rural Focus: The majority of the population lived in rural areas, working the land for their own subsistence or for their landlords.
While some people were involved in other occupations, like trade and crafts, agriculture dominated the Russian economy and employed the vast majority of the population.