NCERT Solutions Class 9 Social Science Economics Chapter – 1 The Story of Village Palampur
Q. 1. Every village in India is surveyed once in ten years during the Census and some of details are presented in the following format. Fill up the following based on information on Palampur.
(a.) LOCATION
(b.) TOTAL AREA OF THE VILLAGE
(c.) LAND USE (in hectares)
(d) Facilities
Answer:-
(a) Location
Ans.
Palampur is located 3 Km from Raiganj which is a big village. The nearest town is Shahpur.
- It is well connected with neighbouring villages and towns
- An all weather road connects the village to Raiganj and further to the nearest small town of Shahpur.
(b) Total Area of the Village
The total area of the Palampur Village is 246 hectares.
Ans. 226 hectares
(c) Land Use (in hectares)
| Cultivated Land | Land not available for cultivation (Area covering dwellings, roads, ponds, grazing ground) | |
| Irrigated | Unirrigated | |
| 200 hectares | 20 hectares | 26 hectares |
(d) Facilities
Answer:-
| Educational | Palampur has two primary schools and one high school. |
| Medical | There is a primary health centre run by the government and one private dispencery. |
| Market | Market has some general stores and shops selling eatables. |
| Electricity Supply | Most of the houses have electric connections it powers the tube wells and is used in various small businesses. |
| Communication | A well developed system of roads and transport. |
| Nearest Town | Shahpur |
Q. 2. Modern farming methods require more inputs which are manufactured in industry. Do you agree?
Answer:-
Yes, modern farming methods do require more inputs that are manufactured in industries.
🌾 Modern Farming Methods & Industrial Inputs
Modern farming relies heavily on advanced technology and industrial products to maximize productivity. Some key inputs include:
✅ HYV Seeds (High Yielding Variety): These specially engineered seeds enhance crop production and are developed through scientific research in agricultural industries.
✅ Chemical Fertilizers & Pesticides: Essential for boosting soil fertility and protecting crops from pests, these are manufactured in chemical industries.
✅ Machinery & Equipment: Tractors, harvesters, and irrigation pumps are produced in industrial units, making farming more efficient.
✅ Electricity & Diesel: Energy sources used to run tube wells, irrigation systems, and farming equipment are supplied through industrial processes.
📌 Conclusion:
Modern farming significantly depends on industrial inputs for higher productivity. However, it also leads to higher costs, soil degradation, and greater dependence on industries, which must be managed wisely.
Q. 3. How did the spread of electricity help farmers in Palampur?
Answer:-
Absolutely! Here’s a structured answer aligned with your Class 9 Economics syllabus:
⚡ Impact of Electricity on Farmers in Palampur
The spread of electricity transformed irrigation and farming practices in Palampur, leading to significant improvements:
✅ Replacement of Persian Wheels: Traditional Persian wheels were replaced by electric-run tube wells, making irrigation more efficient.
✅ Expansion of Irrigated Land: By the mid-1970s, the entire 200 hectares of cultivated land in Palampur was irrigated.
✅ Multiple Cropping: With reliable irrigation, farmers could grow three different crops in a year, maximizing agricultural output.
✅ Reduced Dependence on Rainfall: Electricity-powered irrigation eliminated reliance on monsoons, ensuring stable crop production.
✅ Boost to Non-Farm Activities: Electricity also supported small businesses, improving overall economic conditions in the village.
📌 Conclusion:
The introduction of electricity modernized farming, increased productivity, and improved the livelihoods of farmers in Palampur. It played a crucial role in agricultural development and economic growth.
Q. 4. Is it important to increase the area under irrigation? Why?
Answer:-
Yes, increasing the area under irrigation is crucial for agricultural development.
🚜 Importance of Increasing Irrigation Area
Expanding irrigation facilities brings several benefits to farmers and the economy:
✅ Higher Crop Yields: Irrigation ensures a steady water supply, leading to better crop growth and increased productivity.
✅ Food Security: With reliable irrigation, farmers can produce more food, reducing dependence on unpredictable rainfall.
✅ Multiple Cropping: Farmers can grow more than one crop per year, maximizing land use and income.
✅ Use of HYV Seeds: High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds require ample water to give the best results, making irrigation essential.
✅ Reduced Risk of Crop Failure: Dependence on monsoons can lead to crop losses during droughts, but irrigation provides stability.
✅ Economic Growth: More irrigation leads to higher agricultural output, boosting rural incomes and employment opportunities.
📌 Conclusion:
Increasing the area under irrigation is vital for sustainable farming, food security, and economic prosperity. It helps farmers overcome climate challenges and adopt modern farming techniques effectively.
Q. 5. Construct a table on the distribution of land among the 450 families of Palampur.
Answer:-
Certainly! Here’s a structured table showing the distribution of land among the 450 families of Palampur, based on your Class 9 Economics syllabus:
| Area of Land Cultivated | Number of Families | Percentage of Families |
|---|---|---|
| Landless (0 hectares) | 150 | 33.33% |
| Less than 2 hectares | 240 | 53.33% |
| More than 2 hectares | 60 | 13.33% |
📌 Key Observations:
- A large number of families (150) are landless, meaning they depend on other sources of income.
- Most farmers (240 families) cultivate small plots of land (less than 2 hectares).
- Only 60 families own more than 2 hectares, indicating unequal land distribution in Palampur.
Q. 6. Why are the wages for farm labourers in Palampur less than minimum wages?
Answer:-
💰 Why Are Wages for Farm Labourers in Palampur Less Than Minimum Wages?
Despite the minimum wage set by the government, farm labourers in Palampur earn less due to several reasons:
🔹 High Competition for Jobs 🤝
There are many labourers looking for work, but limited job opportunities. This forces them to accept lower wages.
🔹 Exploitation by Large Farmers 🏡
Big landowners take advantage of the surplus labour and pay less than the government-fixed wages.
🔹 Use of Modern Machinery 🚜
Machines like tractors, threshers, and harvesters reduce the need for manual labour, making jobs scarce.
🔹 Lack of Awareness 📢
Many farm labourers do not know about their legal rights and the minimum wage laws, leading to underpayment.
🔹 No Fixed Employment ⏳
Farm work is seasonal, meaning labourers don’t get regular jobs, making them desperate to work for any wage offered.
📌 Conclusion:
Farm labourers in Palampur struggle with low wages due to high competition, exploitation, and lack of awareness. Government intervention is needed to ensure fair wages and better working conditions.
Q. 7. In your region, 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?
Answer:-
🏗️💰 Wages & Work Conditions of Labourers
To understand the economic conditions of labourers, we can analyze two types:
🚜 Farm Labourers
🔹 Wages: ₹70-90 per day, which is less than the minimum wage.
🔹 Payment Mode: Mostly cash, but sometimes food grains as payment.
🔹 Regular Work? ❌ No, work is seasonal (sowing & harvesting periods).
🔹 Debt? ✅ Yes, many borrow money due to low wages & irregular jobs.
🏗️ Construction Labourers
🔹 Wages: ₹300-500 per day (varies by skill level).
🔹 Payment Mode: Mostly cash, sometimes weekly payments.
🔹 Regular Work? ✅ More stable than farm labour, but depends on projects.
🔹 Debt? ❌ Less common, but some take loans for medical or family needs.
📌 Conclusion:
Farm labourers in Palampur struggle with low wages, seasonal work, and debt, while construction labourers earn more but still face job instability. Government support and fair wages are needed to improve their conditions.
Q. 8. What are the different ways of increasing production on the same piece of land? Use examples to explain.
Answer:-
🌾 Ways to Increase Production on the Same Piece of Land
Farmers in Palampur use various techniques to maximize crop yield without expanding land area. The key methods include:
1️⃣ Multiple Cropping 🌱🌾
🔹 Growing more than one crop on the same land in a year.
🔹 Example: In Palampur, farmers grow jowar & bajra in the rainy season, potatoes between October & December, and wheat in winter.
2️⃣ Use of HYV Seeds 🌾✨
🔹 High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds produce more grains per plant.
🔹 Example: Farmers in Palampur use HYV wheat seeds, leading to higher production.
3️⃣ Chemical Fertilizers & Pesticides 🧪🌿
🔹 Fertilizers boost soil fertility, while pesticides protect crops from pests.
🔹 Example: Farmers apply chemical fertilizers to increase wheat yield.
4️⃣ Improved Irrigation 🚰💦
🔹 Efficient irrigation ensures continuous water supply for crops.
🔹 Example: Electric-run tube wells in Palampur replaced Persian wheels, irrigating all 200 hectares of farmland.
5️⃣ Modern Machinery 🚜⚙️
🔹 Tractors, threshers, and harvesters reduce manual labor & increase efficiency.
🔹 Example: Farmers in Palampur use tractors for plowing, saving time & effort.
📌 Conclusion:
By adopting multiple cropping, HYV seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, and modern machinery, farmers in Palampur maximize production on the same land, ensuring higher income & food security.
Q. 9. Describe the work of a farmer with 1 hectare of land.
Answer:-
🚜 Work of a Farmer with 1 Hectare of Land
A farmer with 1 hectare of land in Palampur is considered a small farmer and faces several challenges in farming.
🌾 Daily Farming Activities
🔹 Ploughing & Sowing: The farmer prepares the land using traditional tools or a small tractor and sows seeds.
🔹 Irrigation: Since irrigation is available in Palampur, the farmer uses tube wells to water crops.
🔹 Applying Fertilizers & Pesticides: To improve yield, the farmer uses chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
🔹 Harvesting & Selling: After months of hard work, crops are harvested and sold in the local market.
💰 Financial Struggles
🔹 Limited Land = Low Output: The small land size means low production, barely enough for survival.
🔹 Borrowing Money: The farmer often borrows money from moneylenders at high interest rates.
🔹 Working as Labourer: To repay loans, the farmer and family members work on larger farms.
📌 Conclusion
A farmer with 1 hectare of land in Palampur struggles with low income, debt, and dependence on larger farmers. Government support and better farming techniques can help improve their condition.
Q. 10. How do the medium and large farmers obtain capital for farming? How is it different from the small farmers?
Answer:-
💰 How Medium & Large Farmers Obtain Capital for Farming
Medium and large farmers in Palampur have better financial resources compared to small farmers. They obtain capital through:
🔹 Savings from Surplus Produce 🌾💵
- They sell extra crops in the market and use the earnings for future investments.
- Example: Large farmers save money to buy HYV seeds, fertilizers, and machinery.
🔹 Bank Loans & Formal Credit 🏦📜
- They borrow money from banks or cooperative societies at low interest rates.
- Example: Medium farmers take loans for tractors & irrigation systems.
🔹 Investing in Modern Farming 🚜✨
- They use their capital to buy tractors, tube wells, and advanced equipment.
- Example: Large farmers in Palampur own tube wells for irrigation.
⚖️ Difference from Small Farmers
Small farmers struggle to obtain capital due to limited resources:
❌ No Surplus Produce – They barely grow enough for their own consumption.
❌ Dependence on Moneylenders – They borrow at high interest rates, leading to debt.
❌ Limited Access to Bank Loans – Banks hesitate to lend due to lack of collateral.
❌ Less Investment in Technology – They cannot afford modern machinery or HYV seeds.
📌 Conclusion:
Medium and large farmers use savings, bank loans, and modern techniques, while small farmers struggle with debt and lack of resources. Government support is needed to help small farmers access affordable credit and better farming tools.
Q. 11. On what terms did Savita get a loan from Tajpal Singh? Would Savita’s condition be different if she could get a loan from the bank at a low rate of interest?
Answer:-
💰 Terms of Savita’s Loan from Tajpal Singh
Savita, a small farmer, needed money to cultivate wheat on her 1 hectare of land. Since she couldn’t get a bank loan, she borrowed from Tajpal Singh, a large farmer, under the following conditions:
🔹 High Interest Rate 📈 – She had to pay 24% interest for four months, which is very expensive.
🔹 Labour Obligation 🚜 – She had to work on Tajpal Singh’s farm during the harvest season at ₹100 per day.
🔹 No Formal Agreement 📜 – The loan was based on verbal terms, making it risky for Savita.
⚖️ Would Savita’s Condition Be Different with a Bank Loan?
✅ Lower Interest Rate 💵 – Banks offer much lower interest rates, making repayment easier.
✅ No Labour Obligation 🚫 – She wouldn’t have to work for free to repay the loan.
✅ Better Financial Stability 📊 – She could invest in better farming tools and increase her income.
✅ Legal Protection 🏦 – A bank loan would have proper documentation, ensuring fair treatment.
📌 Conclusion:
Savita’s condition would be much better if she had access to a bank loan. She wouldn’t face exploitation, and her financial burden would be reduced.
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. (Optional)
Answer:-
Certainly! Here’s a short report on the changes in irrigation and production methods over the last 30 years, based on insights from old residents. 😊📚
🚜 Changes in Irrigation & Production Methods Over 30 Years
🌊 Irrigation Changes
🔹 Traditional Methods (Past) – Earlier, farmers relied on Persian wheels, wells, and canals, which were slow and inefficient.
🔹 Introduction of Tube Wells – By the mid-1970s, electric-run tube wells replaced Persian wheels, ensuring continuous irrigation.
🔹 Modern Techniques (Present) – Today, farmers use sprinklers and drip irrigation, reducing water wastage and improving efficiency.
🌾 Changes in Production Methods
🔹 Use of HYV Seeds – Farmers adopted High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, increasing crop production significantly.
🔹 Chemical Fertilizers & Pesticides – The use of chemical fertilizers boosted soil fertility, while pesticides protected crops from pests.
🔹 Mechanization of Farming – Tractors, threshers, and harvesters replaced manual labor, making farming faster and more efficient.
🔹 Multiple Cropping – Farmers now grow more than one crop per year, maximizing land use and increasing income.
📌 Conclusion:
Over the last 30 years, irrigation has modernized, and farming methods have advanced, leading to higher productivity and better livelihoods for farmers. However, challenges like soil degradation and high costs of modern farming still exist.
Page – 5
Q. 1. What is the difference between multiple cropping and modern farming method?
Answer:-
Q. 2. The following table shows the production of wheat and pulses in India after the Green Revolution in units of million tonnes. Plot this on a graph. Was the Green Revolution equally successful for both the crops? Discuss.
Answer:-
Q. 3. What is the working capital required by the farmer using modern farming methods?
Answer:-