The Story of Village Palampur | Class 9 - Economics NCERT Solutions

Solutions of Economics Class 9 NCERT Social Studies (SST)

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

Ans. Modern farming methods involve the use of high-yielding variety seeds. These seeds require a combination of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, agricultural machinery like tractors, and irrigation facilities like electric tube wells for better outcome. All these products are manufactured in industries. Therefore it is right so say that modern farming requires inputs which are manufactured in industry only.

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

Ans. The spread of electricity has helped the farmers of Palampur village in the following ways :

- Most of the houses have electric connections.
- Electricity is used to run tube wells in the fields.
- Electricity is used in various types of small business.

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

Ans. India is an agrarian country. Nearly two-thirds of the people are dependent on farming for

their livelihood. But of the total cultivated area in the country, a little less than 40 per cent is
irrigated even today. In the remaining areas, farming is largely dependent on rainfall which is
irregular and uncertain. Modern farming methods cannot be used in the absence of assured
adequate water supplies. India cannot achieve the goal of self-sufficiency in food grains unless

the area under irrigation is increased. 

4. Why are the wages for farm laborers in Palampur less than minimum wages?

Ans. Farm workers at Palampur village get lower wages than the minimum wages fixed by the government. The minimum wages for a farm labourer is fixed at Rs 115 per day. But farm labourers get only Rs 70 - 80. This happens because of heavy competition for work among the farm labourers at Palampur village.

5. What are the different ways of increasing production on the same piece of land? Use examples to explain.

Ans. The different ways of increasing production on the same piece of land are:

Multiple Cropping : It is the most common way of increasing production on a given piece of land. Under it, more than one crop is grown on the same piece of land during the year. Indian farmers should grow at least two main crops in a year. In India, some farmers are growing a third crop also over the past 20 years.

Modern Farming Methods : Production on the same piece of land can also be increased by adopting modern farming methods. The Green Revolution in India is a remarkable example of it. Under modern farming, more cultivable areas should be brought under HYV seeds and irrigation. The use of simple wooden plough must be replaced by tractors. The increasing use of farm machinery like tractors, threshers, harvesters, etc. make cultivation faster.

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

Ans. A farmer with 1 hectare of land shall put under the category of small farmer. Most of the work would be done by the farmer and his family members. The farmer will normally use a pair of bullocks to plough the field. His family members would assist him in sowing the seeds. During harvest time, he may require to hire some labourers.

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

Ans. Medium and large farmers usually have surplus cash by selling their farm produce. Since they have land and house, they easily get loan from banks. Small farmers, on the other hand, may not be able to get bank loans. They have to depend on the local merchant and moneylender for loan.

8. 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?

Ans. Savita required money for buying seeds, fertilizers and pesticides, and water for irrigation. She also needed money for repairing her farm instruments. So, she decided to borrow money from Tejpal Singh, a large farmer in her village. Tejpal Singh agreed to give the loan of Rs. 3000 at an interest rate of 24 per cent for four months. He also got her to agree to work on his field during the harvest season for Rs. 35 a day.

Savita’s condition would have been better if she could get a loan from the bank. The bank would have provided her the loan at a low rate of interest. Moreover, Savita could have devoted more time on her own field instead of working for Tejpal Singh as farm laborer.