NCERT Solutions-The Story of Village Palampur-Class 9-Social Science

NCERT Solutions Class 9 Social Science Chapter - The Story of Village Palampur

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

Yes, I agree.

• Modern farming uses High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds which are developed in research labs.

• It needs chemical fertilizers and pesticides which are made in industries.

• Farm machinery like tractors, harvesters, and threshers are produced in factories.

• Irrigation equipment such as electric pumps and tubewells are industrial products.

• Therefore, modern farming is highly dependent on industrially produced inputs.

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

• Electricity was used to run tubewells which replaced traditional Persian wheels.

• It made irrigation faster and more effective, allowing cultivation of larger areas.

• Farmers could grow more crops in a year (multiple cropping).

• It helped in the use of electric machines for sugarcane crushing and threshing.

• Electricity also benefited small businesses in the village by powering equipment.

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

• Irrigation ensures water supply even when rainfall is uncertain.

• It allows farmers to grow more than one crop a year (multiple cropping).

• Irrigation increases productivity and income for farmers.

• It supports modern farming methods which require regular water supply.

• More irrigated land helps reduce dependency on the monsoon.

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

Category	Number of Families	Details
Landless families	150	No land, mostly Dalits
Small farmers (< 2 hectares)	240	Have very small plots, not enough for full income
Medium and large farmers (>2 hectares)	60	Own more than half the land in the village
Large farmers (>10 hectares)	A few families	Very rich, own tractors and lend money

 

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

• There are more workers than the number of jobs available.

• Most farm labourers are landless and poor, so they accept low wages.

• They have no bargaining power against rich farmers.

• The law sets minimum wages, but it is not strictly enforced.

• Employers take advantage of their poverty and pay less.

7. [Example-based answer – talk to labourers in your area]

Let’s say these are two construction labourers in your area:

• Labourer 1: Earns ₹250/day, paid in cash, works around 20 days a month, not in debt.

• Labourer 2: Earns ₹200/day, paid partly in cash and partly in food, work is irregular, has loan from local moneylender.

• Both have no job security.

• They often migrate to nearby towns to find work.

8. What are the different ways of increasing production on the same piece of land?

• Multiple Cropping: Grow more than one crop on the same field in a year.

• Modern Farming Methods: Use HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and machines.

• Efficient Irrigation: Use tubewells or canal water to increase cropping cycles.

• Proper use of capital and labour: Invest in tools and hire required labour.

• Crop rotation: Maintains soil fertility and increases productivity.

9. Describe the work of a farmer with 1 hectare of land.

• Sows crops using manual or simple tools due to lack of machinery.

• Borrows money for seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation from rich farmers.

• Uses family labour for sowing, watering, and harvesting.

• Keeps part of the crop for family use, sells very little.

• Income is low, may work as a labourer on others’ farms to earn extra money.

10. How do medium and large farmers obtain capital for farming? How is it different from small farmers?

• Medium and large farmers use their savings from surplus produce.

• They often sell surplus wheat or sugarcane in the market.

• They save profits and reinvest in seeds, fertilizers, and machinery.

• Small farmers don’t have enough surplus, so they borrow money.

• They take loans at high interest from moneylenders or landlords, increasing their burden.

11. On what terms did Savita get a loan from Tejpal Singh? Would her condition be different if she got a bank loan?

• Tejpal Singh charged 24% interest for 4 months – very high rate.

• Savita also had to work on his farm during harvest at low wages.

• She faced double pressure: farm work and labour work.

• If she had a bank loan at low interest, she could work freely on her own field.

• A bank loan would reduce her financial burden and improve her condition.

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. (Optional)

[Sample Report: Changes in Irrigation and Farming Methods in Last 30 Years]

• Earlier farmers used wells and Persian wheels; now they use tubewells.

• Irrigation is now available on more land due to electricity.

• Traditional seeds replaced by HYV seeds with higher yields.

• Organic manure replaced by chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

• Use of tractors and machines increased; reduced need for manual labour.

13. What are the non-farm production activities taking place in your region? (Sample list)

• Dairy farming and milk selling.

• Tailoring and stitching clothes.

• Grocery and general shops.

• Small manufacturing units like jaggery making.

• Transport services like auto rickshaws, taxis, and trucks.

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

• Provide loans at low interest rates to poor villagers.

• Improve roads, electricity, and transport to support business.

• Open training centers for skill development.

• Build markets or cold storages for selling goods.

• Promote government schemes to support small businesses and startups.

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✅ 2 Marks Questions (Answer in 30–40 words)

1. What is the aim of production?

• The aim of production is to produce goods and services that satisfy human needs.

• It involves combining land, labour, capital, and entrepreneurship to generate output.

2. What is multiple cropping?

• Multiple cropping is the practice of growing more than one crop on a piece of land in a year.

• In Palampur, farmers grow jowar & bajra, followed by potatoes, and then wheat.

3. Why is land considered a scarce factor of production in Palampur?

• Land area in Palampur is fixed and already under cultivation.

• Since 1960, no new land has been available, so farmers have to use existing land efficiently.

4. Why do small farmers need to borrow money?

• Small farmers lack capital and savings.

• They borrow to buy seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, and tools needed for farming.

5. What are the main non-farm activities in Palampur?

• Dairy farming, small-scale manufacturing, shopkeeping, and transport are the main non-farm activities.

• About 25% of Palampur’s working population is involved in them.

✅ 3 Marks Questions (Answer in 60–80 words)

1. What are the main features of modern farming methods?

• Modern farming uses HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides.

• It involves machines like tractors and threshers for ploughing and harvesting.

• It gives higher yield but needs more capital and water.

• These methods were first adopted during the Green Revolution.

2. How did electricity change the system of irrigation in Palampur?

• Before electricity, Persian wheels were used for drawing water.

• With electricity, farmers installed tubewells that irrigated larger areas efficiently.

• This allowed more cropping cycles and increased farm production.

3. Why are farm labourers paid less than minimum wages in Palampur?

• There is heavy competition among labourers for limited jobs.

• Most are landless and poor, so they accept low wages.

• Employers take advantage as enforcement of wage laws is weak.

4. Explain the distribution of land among the 450 families in Palampur.

• 150 families are landless, mostly Dalits.

• 240 families are small farmers with less than 2 hectares.

• Only 60 families own more than 2 hectares, and a few have more than 10 hectares.

5. Mention any three factors of production and explain them briefly.

• Land: Natural resource used for farming.

• Labour: Human effort required for production.

• Capital: Physical inputs like tools, machines, and money.
  These combine to carry out any production activity.

✅ 5 Marks Questions (Answer in 100–120 words)

1. Explain in detail how modern farming methods have helped increase farm production.

• Modern farming introduced High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds that produce more crops.

• Chemical fertilizers and pesticides improve plant growth and protect crops.

• Machines like tractors, harvesters, and threshers save time and labour.

• Electricity powers tubewells for irrigation, ensuring better water supply.

• These methods helped farmers in Palampur grow three crops a year instead of one.

• Wheat production, for example, increased from 1300 kg/ha to 3200 kg/ha.

2. What are the main differences between small and large farmers in Palampur?

• Small farmers have less than 2 hectares of land; large farmers own more than 2 hectares.

• Small farmers borrow money for inputs; large farmers use their own savings.

• Small farmers use family labour; large farmers hire workers.

• Large farmers produce more and sell surplus; small farmers mostly produce for personal use.

• Large farmers earn profits and invest in new tools and machines; small farmers struggle financially.

3. Describe the non-farm production activities in Palampur with examples.

• Dairy farming: People rear buffaloes and sell milk in nearby towns.

• Manufacturing: Mishrilal makes jaggery from sugarcane using machines.

• Shopkeeping: Traders sell groceries and goods in small village shops.

• Transport: People run rickshaws, bullock carts, jeeps, and trucks to earn money.

• Computer classes: Kareem started computer training for village youth, employing local women.

4. What problems do small farmers face when borrowing money? Suggest solutions.

• Small farmers borrow at high interest rates from moneylenders.

• They often have to work on the lender’s fields at low wages.

• Failure to repay leads to debt and poverty.
  Solutions:

• Provide low-interest loans through banks.

• Strengthen co-operative credit societies.

• Educate farmers on loan policies and their rights.

5. What steps should be taken to promote more non-farm activities in villages?

• Provide loans at low interest to start small businesses.

• Improve road, transport, and electricity facilities.

• Open training centers for skills like tailoring, computer literacy, etc.

• Create local markets to sell goods like milk, jaggery, or crafts.

• Promote government schemes that support village entrepreneurs and employment.

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Chapter 3- Nazism and the Rise of Hitler

Chapter 4- Forest Society and Colonialism

Chapter 5- Pastoralists in the Modern World

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Cahpter 1- What is Democracy? Why Democracy?

Chapter 2- Constitutional Design

Chapter 3- Electoral Politics

Chapter 4- Working of Institutions