Story of Village Palampur - Class 9 CBSE NCERT exercise

Explore the story of Village Palampur with the Class 9 CBSE NCERT exercise, delving into its agricultural practices, economic activities, and social structure. Gain insights into rural life in India, understand farming techniques, land distribution, and the role of non-farm activities. Develop critical thinking and analytical skills through interactive exercises.

Question 1. Every village in India is surveyed once in ten years during the Census, and some of the details are presented in the following format. Fill up the following based on the information on Palampur.

(a) Location :

(b) Total Area of the village :

(c) Land use (in hectares) :

Cultivated Land		Land not available for cultivation (Area covering dwellings, roads, ponds, grazing ground)
Irrigated	Unirrigated
		26 hectares

(d) Facilities: 

• Educational
• Medical
• Market
• Electricity Supply
• Communication
• Nearest Town

Ans:

(a) It is well connected with neighbouring villages and towns. Raiganj, a big village, is 3 kms from Palampur.

(b) 300 hectares

(c) Land use in hectares

Cultivated Land		Land not available for cultivation (Area covering dwellings, roads, ponds, grazing ground)
Irrigated	Unirrigated
200	74	26 hectares

(d) Facilities: 

• Educational: One High School and two Primary Schools.
• Medical: The Primary Health Centre run by the Government, and one Private Dispensary.
• Market: There is small market in the Palampur Village.
• Electricity Supply: Electricity supply is also there in the Palampur village.
• Communication: Telephone and transport facilities are there in the Palampur village.
• Nearest Town: Shahpur is the nearest town.

Question 2: Modern farming methods require more inputs which are manufactured in industry. Do you agree?

Answer: 

Modern Farming Methods Overview:

  - Utilize high-yielding variety seeds.

  - Require chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

  - Need agricultural implements like tractors.

  - Depend on proper irrigation facilities like electric tube wells.

Industrial Dependence:

  - These elements are manufactured in industries.

  - Modern farming relies heavily on industrial outputs.

Comparison with Traditional Farming:

  - Modern farming uses more industrial outputs.

  - Traditional farming methods are less dependent on industries.

Question 3: How did the spread of electricity help farmers in Palampur?

Ans: 

Electricity's Impact: 

  - Electricity transformed irrigation methods.

  - Persian wheels are being replaced by tubewells.

Enhanced Irrigation Coverage: 

  - Electric-run tubewells can irrigate larger areas more effectively.

  - They offer improved irrigation coverage compared to traditional methods.

Cost-effective and Eco-friendly:

  - Electric irrigation is cost-effective.

  - It is a pollution-free irrigation option.

Q.4. Is it important to increase the area under irrigation? Why ?

Ans. Significance of Increasing Irrigation Area

Basic Input for Crop Growth: 

  - Irrigation is a fundamental requirement for crop cultivation.

  - It ensures consistent water supply for crops.

Need for High-Yielding Seeds: 

  - High-yielding variety (HYV) seeds require assured irrigation.

  - Irrigation is crucial for maximizing the yield potential of these seeds.

Effectiveness of Modern Inputs: 

  - Modern inputs like chemical fertilizers and pesticides depend on irrigation.

  - Without irrigation, these inputs become ineffective.

Cultivation in Dry Regions: 

  - Irrigation enables cultivation in dry regions.

  - It expands agricultural possibilities to areas with limited rainfall.

Uncertainty of Monsoon: 

  - The monsoon's timing and duration are unpredictable.

  - Irrigation provides a reliable water source despite monsoon variability.

Q.5. Construct a table on the distribution of land among the 450 families of palampur.

Ans: 

Area of land holding	No. of Families
Landless	150
Less than 2 hectare	240
More than 2 hectare	60

Q.6. Why are the wages for farm labourers in Palampur less than minimum wages ?

Ans.- 

Unskilled Labor: 

  - The majority of farm laborers are unskilled.

  - They lack specialized skills for agricultural work.

Labor Supply and Demand: 

  - There is an excess supply of farm laborers.

  - Demand for labor is lower than the available supply.

Competition and Lower Wages: 

  - Excessive competition among farm laborers leads to lower wages.

  - Laborers often agree to work for wages below government-fixed rates.

Q.7. In your reigion, talk to two labourers. Choose either farm labourers or labourers working at construction sites. What wages do they get ? Are they paid in cash or kind? Do they get work regularly ? Are they in debt?

Ans. Self Explanatory.

Q.8. What are the different ways of increasing production on the same piece of land ? Use examples to explain. (CBSE Sept. 2011, 12, 13]

Or

What are the most common ways of increasing production on a given piece of land ? (CBSE Sept. 2010]

Or

Explain any three factors which have enabled the farmers to increase the productivity of their land. (CBSE Sept. 2011]

Ans. 

(i) High Yielding Varieties (HYV) Seeds:

  - Use of HYV seeds significantly boosts production.

  - HYV seeds are pivotal in the success of the Green Revolution.

Other Modern Inputs:

  - Fertilizers, pesticides, and weedicides enhance production.

  - They improve crop health and yield.

Modern Machinery:

  - Tractors, combines, and harvesters save time and reduce labor dependency.

  - They contribute to increased efficiency and productivity.

Means of Irrigation:

  - Tubewells, canals, and tanks ensure consistent water supply.

  - Proper irrigation methods enhance crop growth and yield.

Education and Training:

  - Agricultural education, particularly from agriculture universities, is crucial.

  - Education enhances farmers' knowledge and practices, leading to increased production.

Multiple Cropping:

  - Growing multiple crops on the same land increases productivity.

  - It optimizes land use and improves overall yield.

Q.9. Describe the work of a farmer with one hectare of land.

Ans. Insufficient Income from Land:

  - The farmer struggles to make a living from the land.

  - Limited income prompts the need for additional work in the off-season.

Self-Consumption of Produce:

  - The majority of the produce is consumed by the farmer's family.

  - This reduces the surplus available for sale and income generation.

Q.10. How do the medium and large farmers obtain capital for farming? How is it different from the small farmers ? (CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011, 12, 13]

Ans.

Medium and Large Farmers:

  - Obtain capital from savings or bank loans.

  - Savings or bank loans support their farming activities.

Small Farmers:

  - Borrow from large farmers, moneylenders, or traders.

  - High-interest rates characterize these loans, impacting profitability.

Q.11. On what terms did Savita get a loan from Tejpal Singh ? Would Savita's condition have been different if she had got a loan from the bank at a low rate of interest ?

Ans. 

High-Interest Loans from Moneylenders:

  - Farm workers, like Savita, often borrow at exorbitant rates from moneylenders like Tejpal.

  - High-interest rates burden them with heavy repayment obligations.

Low-Wage Farm Labor for Loan Repayment:

  - To repay loans, farm workers often work on moneylenders' farms for low wages.

  - This perpetuates a cycle of debt and exploitation.

Benefits of Bank Loans:

  - Bank loans offer lower interest rates compared to moneylenders.

  - Access to bank loans would improve the financial condition of farm workers.

Avoidance of Unfair Terms:

  - Bank loans eliminate the need to agree to unfair loan terms, such as working at lower wages on the moneylender's fields.

Improved Work-Life Balance:

  - With bank loans, especially women farm workers, like Savita, would have more time to care for their children.

  - This would improve their quality of life and family well-being.

Q.12. Talk to some old residents in your region and write a short report on the changes in irrigation and changes in production methods during the last 30 years.

Ans. Modernization in Agriculture

Replacement of Persian Wells:

  - Tubewells have replaced Persian wells for irrigation.

  - Tubewells offer more efficient and reliable water supply.

Use of Modern Inputs:

  - Farmers are adopting modern inputs like HYV seeds, tractors, and harvesters.

  - These inputs enhance productivity and efficiency in farming practices.

Q.13. What are the non-farm production activities of the rural areas?

Ans. Non-Agricultural Activities in Palampur

Dairy Farming:

  - Many families in Palampur are engaged in dairy farming.

  - They feed their buffaloes with locally grown grass, jowar, and bajra.

  - Milk is sold in nearby villages.

Small-Scale Manufacturing:

  - Less than fifty people are involved in manufacturing.

  - Production methods are simple and on a small scale, often done at home or in fields with family labor.

  - Laborers are rarely hired.

Shopkeepers:

  - Trade is limited in Palampur, mostly conducted by shopkeepers.

  - Shopkeepers purchase goods from wholesale markets in cities and sell them in the village.

Transport Services:

  - Various vehicles connect Palampur to Raiganj.

  - Rickshaw drivers, tonga drivers, jeep, tractor, and truck drivers, as well as traditional bullock cart and bogey drivers, provide transport services.

  - The number of people in the transport sector has increased over the years.

Q.14. What can be done so that the non-farm production activities can be started in villages ?

Or

Explain the efforts which can be made to increase non-farming production activities in village. [CBSE Sept. 2010]

Ans:

Improving Infrastructure and Access to Capital

Infrastructure Improvement:

  - Enhancing infrastructure is essential.

  - Better infrastructure supports economic activities and connectivity.

Access to Cheap Capital:

  - Farmers and people need access to capital at affordable rates.

  - This facilitates investment in agriculture and other sectors.

Linking Village Markets:

  - Connecting village markets with urban markets is crucial.

  - It improves market access and enhances economic opportunities.