Critical Reasoning (CR) | Re: Pecan growers get a high price for their crop when pecans are

hi, anyone can help explain what E says?
I think the subject of E is the practice, the verb is had not yet become widespread.
IMO, practice means the action of store pecan. so Does E say that the action of store had not been well known?
i Dont understand "the last time the pecan crop was as small as it was this year."
The first part of E states the action had not been wel known, the second states the previous yield was same as this year yield
Its strange,
it is hard for me to understand