CBSE Class 9 Economics The Story of Village Palampur Worksheet Set 01

Question. Modern farming methods require more inputs which are manufactured in industry. Do you agree?
Answer : Yes, we do agree that modern farming methods require more inputs which are manufactured in industries. The types of tools and inputs required for agriculture are:
1) Machines used in farming, 2) Motors used in tube wells, 3) Electricity, 4) Chemical Fertilizers, 5) Pesticides, 6) petrol and diesel, 7) Tractors, etc.

Question. Is it important to increase the area under irrigation? Why?
Answer : Yes, it is important to increase the area under irrigation.
Increasing the area under cultivation is important for following reasons:
1. Because the rainfall is neither certain nor adequate.
2. Crops such as rice, wheat, sugarcane require adequate and regular supply of water.
3. Plenty of water is needed for HYV seeds.
4. Increase in irrigation facilities will increase the productivity as it will be helpful in growing multiple crops.

Question. Why are the wages for farm labourers in Palampur less than minimum wages?
Answer : The wages of the farm labourers are less than minimum wages because the land is fixed and population is increasing day by day which leads to increase in labour force. As more labour is available, there is an apparent sense of competition amongst the laborers which leads to many of them accepting even the low wages if it guarantees them continued employment.

Question.  What are the different ways of increasing production on the same piece of land? Use examples to explain.
Answer : There are two different ways of increasing production on the same piece of land. E.g.
1. Multiple Cropping Method: This method refers to the cropping method in which more than two crops are grown on a piece of land during a year. This is the most common way of raising production. This method of cropping is possible if there are good facilities for irrigation are available.
2. Modern Farming Methods: This method refers that farming method HYV (high yielding variety) seeds are used instead of traditional seeds. Chemical fertilizers are used instead of animal excreta as manure and other natural fertilizers. In this method irrigation is done with the help of tube wells, tractors are used for ploughing, threshers are also used. At last before harvesting, pesticides and insecticides are sprayed once.

Question.  How do the medium and large farmers obtain capital for farming? How is it different from the Small farmers?
Answer : Medium and large farmers obtain capital for farming from their past savings. 
The production of medium and large farmers is usually more than their consumption; this is how they save for their next round of farming. They sell the extra output in the market and earn money. However, small farmers do not have savings because in the very first round of farming, they do not have sufficient land to cultivate, thus extra  yielding and savings are not quite possible for them. Their arrangement of capital is done by taking loans from moneylenders or large farmers at a very high-interest rate.

Question. 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.
Answer : I talked to two old residents in my region related to irrigation and method of farming 30 years back. Many changes in irrigation and production methods can be found.
1. Irrigation: The method of irrigation was a very laborious work 30 years back, because Persian wheels were used by the farmers to draw water from the wells and irrigate small fields. But now after 30 years, the tube wells run by electricity could irrigate much larger areas of land and too effectively and quickly. Tube wells were first set up by government, but now farmers have started setting up their private tube wells.
2. Production Method: 30 years back, production activities like sugarcane crushing was done with the help of bullock, but now people prefer to do it by mechanical sugarcane crushing machine which is run on electricity. This has not only increased the efficiency of the process but also helped the farmers in making more profits out of the process.

Question. What can be done so that more non-farm production activities can be started in villages?
Answer : Following are the steps which can be taken to start non-farm activities in villages:
1. Villagers must be made aware of various non-farm production activities.
2. Loans should be provided by the government at a low rate of interest to start or expand nonfarm production activities.
3. Transport facilities which are provided in villages should be cheap so that people can easily carry goods to and from the nearby markets.
4. Providing education and skills to the young population can also help to increase the non-farm activities.