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

Solution:
Yes, modern farming methods require more inputs that are manufactured in industries. High-yielding seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and agricultural machinery like tractors and tube wells are all products of industries. In contrast, traditional farming methods rely more on natural inputs like cow dung and do not require as many industrial products.



3. How did the spread of electricity help farmers in Palampur?
Solution:
The spread of electricity in Palampur helped farmers by replacing manual irrigation methods like Persian wheels with electric tube wells. This led to more efficient irrigation, enabling farmers to cultivate the entire 200 hectares of irrigated land by the 1970s.



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

Solution:
Yes, it is important to increase the area under irrigation because farming is the primary source of income for a significant portion of India's population. Increasing irrigated land can reduce dependence on erratic monsoons, improve agricultural productivity, and make more land cultivable, thus benefiting farmers and the economy.



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

Solution:
Do it yourself


6. Why are the wages for farm laborers in Palampur less than minimum wages?
Solution:
The wages for farm laborers in Palampur are less than minimum wages due to high competition for work among laborers. This competition drives down wages, as laborers are willing to accept lower pay to secure employment.



7. In your region, talk to two laborers. Choose either farm laborers or laborers 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?
Solution:
- This question requires students to conduct a survey by their own in their region and provide their findings.



8. What are the different ways of increasing production on the same piece of land? Use examples to explain.
Solution:
One way to increase production on the same piece of land is through multiple cropping, where more than one crop is grown in a year. For example, in Palampur, jowar and bajra are grown during the rainy season, followed by potato between October and December, and wheat during the winter season. Another way is to use modern farming techniques and inputs like high-yielding seeds, fertilizers, and machinery to increase yields per hectare.



9. Describe the work of a farmer with 1 hectare of land.
Solution:
A farmer with 1 hectare of land, known as a small farmer, faces challenges due to limited land and resources. To maximize yield, the farmer may borrow money at high interest rates from moneylenders, which can lead to debt. The farmer's income is often meager, and much of it goes towards repaying loans.



10. How do the medium and large farmers obtain capital for farming? How is it different from the small farmers?
Solution:
Medium and large farmers often obtain capital from their savings or by selling surplus produce. They may also borrow money at lower interest rates from banks or financial institutions. In contrast, small farmers rely more on moneylenders for loans, often at high interest rates, leading to greater debt burden.



11. On what terms did Savita get a loan from Tejpal Singh? Would Savita’s condition be different if she could get a loan from the bank at a low rate of interest?
Solution:

Savita got a loan from Tejpal Singh at a very high interest rate of 24% for 4 months, and she also had to work as a farm laborer for Tejpal at a wage of Rs.100 per day during the harvest season.
If Savita could get a loan from the bank at a low rate of interest, her condition would be different as she would not have to work as a laborer and could focus on her own field during the harvest season.



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.
Solution:
This question requires students to conduct interviews with old residents in their region and write a report based on their findings.



13. What are the non-farm production activities taking place in your region? Make a short list.
Solution:
Non-farm production activities in my region include things like dairy farming, transportation services, general stores, fishing, and mining.



14. What can be done so that more non-farm production activities can be started in villages?
Solution:
To promote more non-farm production activities in villages, steps can be taken such as providing them access to low-interest loans, establishing proper markets, where they can sell the produce, and improving transportation infrastructure between villages and cities.