NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Economics

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Economics Chapter 1 The Story of

Village Palampur

Let’s Discuss Page 3 - 4

-The following table shows the land under cultivation in India in
units of million hectares. Plot this on the graph, provided. What
does the graph show ? Discuss in the class.
Cultivated area over the years
Year Cultivated
Area
1950 120
1960 130
1970 140
1980 140
1990 140
2000 140

Ans.

From the table and graph, we come to know that cultivated area
increased up to 1970. Afterwards, here was no increase in the cultivated
area.
-Is it important to increase the area under irrigation? Why?
Ans. Yes. By increasing the area under irrigation, we can produce more
to feed the growing population of India.
-You have read about the crops grown in Palampur. Fill the
following table based on information on the crops grown in your
region.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Economics
Name Mo Mont Source
of nth h of
Crop So Harve irrigatio
wn sted n (Rain,
tanks,
tube
wells,
canals,
etc.)

Ans.
Name Month Month Source of
of Crop Sown Harvested irrigation
(Rain,
tanks, tube
wells,
canals,
etc.)
1. Nov.- March- Tubewells,
Wheat Dec. April tanks
2. Oct.- Feb.- Rain,
Potatoes Dec. March tanks
3. Rise June- Nov.- Rain,
July Dec. Tubewells
Let’s Discuss Page 5
-What is the difference between multiple cropping and modern
farming methods?
Ans. Difference between multiple cropping and modern farming
methods.
Multiple Modern
Cropping Farming
Methods
1. Under this 1. Under
method more modern
than one crop farming
 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Economics
are grown on methods,
the same piece much greater
of land during amount of
the year. grains is
2. Under this produced on a
method cow- single plant or
dung and from single
other natural crop.
manure in 2. Under this
used as method,
fertilizers. chemical
3. Here fertilizers are
traditional used.
seeds are used. 3. Here high
yielding
varieties of
seeds (HYV's)
are used.

-The following table shows the production of wheat and pulses in

India after the Green Revolution in units of million tones. Plot this
on a graph. Was the Green Revolution equally successful for both
the crops? Discuss.
Production of pulses and wheat
Year Production Production
of Pulses of Wheat
1965-66 10 10
1970-71 11 24
1980-81 12 36
1990-91 14 55
2000-01 11 70

Ans.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Economics

No, Green Revolution was not equally successful for both the crops. In
1965-66, the production of both pulses and wheat was 10 million
tonnes. But after 35 years in 2000-01, production of pulses increased
to 11 million tonnes and production of wheat increased to 70 millions
tonnes.
-What is the working capital required by the farmer using modern
farming methods?
Ans. The working capital required by the farmer using modern farming
methods consists of pesticides, HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, diesel
etc.
Let’s discuss page 7
-In the picture given below, can you shade the land cultivated by
the small farmers?

Ans. Do yourself with the help of teacher.

-Why do so many families of farmers cultivate such small plots of
land ?
Ans. Due to disintegration of families existing land is divided among
sons or brothers continuously and a result one have small plot of land.
We know that with the increase in the size of the families of farmers,
the size of land does not expand. For example Gobind was a farmer.
He had three sons. He had 3 hectares of lands. After his death, his land
is divided into three parts, now each son has one hectare of land. This
type of division and sub-division goes on with the expansion of the size
of families.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Economics
The distribution of farmers in India and the amount of land they
cultivate is given in the following graph. Discuss in the class-room.

Ans. From the pie chart, we come to know that in India there are 80%
farmers who have farms less than 2 hectares. These farmers cultivate
only 36% of total cultivated area. On the other hand 20% of the total
farmers have farms more than 2 hectares. They cultivate 64% of total
cultivated area.
LET'S DISCUSS page 7
-Would you agree that the distribution of cultivated land is unequal
in Palampur? Do you find a similar situation for India? Explain.
Ans. We agree that the distribution of cultivated land is unequal in
Palampur. In Palampur 240 families cultivate small plots of land less
than 2 hectares in size whereas 60 families cultivate more than 2
hectares of land. A few of the large farmers have land extending over
10 hectares or more.

We find the similar situation for India. Small farmers account for 80%
of total farmers, but they possess only 36% of the total cultivated areas.
On the other hand 20% of total farmers (medium and large farmers)
have 64% of the total cultivated area.
LET'S DISCUSS page 7
-Identify the work being done on the field in the pictures (given
above) and arrange them in a proper sequence.
1. Cutting of crops
2. Spraying of insecticides
3. Cultivation by traditional method
 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Economics
4. Ploughing the field by bullock.
5. Sowing
6. Cultivation by modern method.
Ans. Arranging the work being done on the field :
1. Cultivation by traditional method.
2. Cultivation by modern method.
3. Ploughing the field by bullock
4. Sowing
5. Spraying of insecticides
6. Cutting of crops.
LET'S DISCUSS page 9
-Why are farm labourers like Dala and Ramkali poor ?
Ans. Dala is landless farm labourer who works on daily wages. This
means he must regularly look for work. The minimum wages for a farm
labourer set by the government is Rs. 60 per day, but Dala gets only
Rs. 35-40. There is heavy competition for work among the farm
labourers, so people agree to work for lower wages. Dala complaints
about his situation to Ramkali, who is another farm labourer.
Both Dala and Ramkali are among the poorest people in the village.
-Gosaipur and Majauli are two villages in north Bihar. Out of a
total of 850 households in the two villages, there are more than 250
men, who are employed in rural Punjab and Haryana or in Delhi,
Mumbai, Surat, Hyderabad or Nagpur. Such migration is common
in most villages across India. Why do people migrate ? Can you
describe (based on your imagination) the work that the migrants
of Gosaipur and Majauli might do at the place of destination.
Ans. 1. People migrate to cities in search of job.
2. (i) Men employed in rural area might be working in household
servants in the house of big zamindars.
(ii) They might be working as farm labourers.
(iii) In Delhi and other big cities they may be:
(a) Working in factories.
(b) Doing the work at hotels, shops etc.
(c) Pulling the rickshaws.
(d) Assisting the plumbers, electricians etc.
OPTIONAL, EXERCISE page 11
 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Economics
-Let us take three farmers. Each has grown wheat on his field,
though the production is different (see Column 2). The
consumption of wheat by each farmer family is the same (Column
3). The whole of surplus of wheat this year is used as capital for
next year's production. Also suppose production is twice the capital
used in production.
Complete the tables.
Farmer 1
Production Consumption Surplus= Capital
Production- for the
Consumption next
year
Year 100 40 - 60
1
Year
2 120 40 - -
Year
3 - 40 - -

Farmer 2
Production Consumption Surplus= Capital
Production- for the
Consumption next
year
Year 80 40 - -
1
Year - 40 - -
2
Year
3 - 40 - -

Farmer 3
Production Consumption Surplus= Capital
Production- for the
Consumption next
year
 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Economics
Year 60 40 - -
1
Year
2 - 40 - -
Year
3 - 40 - -

Ans. Farmer 1
Production Consumption Surplus= Capital
Production- for the
Consumption next
year
Year 100 40 60 60
1
Year
2 120 40 80 80
Year
3 160 40 120 120

Farmer 2
Production Consumption Surplus= Capital
Production- for the
Consumption next
year
Year 80 40 40 40
1
Year
2 80 40 40 40
Year
3 80 40 40 40

Farmer 3
Production Consumption Surplus= Capital
Production- for the
Consumption next
year
 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Economics
Year 60 40 20 20
1
Year
2 40 40 0 0
Year
3 0 40 -40 -40

LET'S DISCUSS page 11

-Compare the production of wheat by the three farmers over the
years.
Ans. If we compare the production of wheat by the three farmers over
3 years, we find that
(i) The production of wheat of farmer-1 is continuously increasing in
first, second and 3rd year.
(ii) The production of wheat of farmer-2 is constant in three years.
(iii) The production of farmer-3 is decreasing.
-What happens to farmer-3 in year 3? Can he continue production
? What will he have to do to continue production?
Ans. (i) Farmer-3 could not produce wheat in the 3rd year.
(ii) Yes, he can continue production
(iii) He will have to use modern methods of farming.
Let’s discuss Page 12 - 13
Read the following descriptions and answer the questions that
follows:
1. Mishrilal has purchased a mechanical sugarcane crushing
machine run on electricity and has set it up on his field. Sugarcane
crushing was earlier done with the help of bullocks but people
prefer to do it by machines these days. Mishrilal also buys
sugarcane from other farmers and processes it into jaggery. The
jaggery is then sold to traders at Shahpur. In the process, Mishrilal
makes a small profit.
Questions:
1. What capital did Mishrilal need to set up his jaggery manufacturing
unit?
2. Who provides the labour in this case?
3. Can you guess why Mishrilal is unable to increase his profit?
4. Could you think of any reasons when he might face a loss?
 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Economics
5. Why does Mishrilal sell his jaggery to traders in Shahpur and not in
his village?
Answers:
1. Mishrilal needed mechanical sugarcane crushing machine to set up
his jaggery manufacturing unit.
2. He and his family members were themselves labourers.
3. Mishrilal may be unable to increase his profit as the production of
sugarcane in his village is limited.
4. He could face loss when the price of jaggery falls.
5. Because the market for jaggery in Shahpur is big and he earn more
to comparison of village.
2. Kareem has opened a computer class centre in the village. In
recent years, a large number of students have been attending
college in Shahpur town. Kareem found that a number of students
from the village are also attending computer classes in the town.
There were two women in the village who had a degree in computer
applications. He decided to employ them. He bought computers
and set up the classes in the front room of their house over looking
the market. High class students have started attending them in
good numbers.
Questions :
1. In what ways is Kareem's capital and labour different from
Mishrilal’s?
2. Why didn't someone start a computer centre earlier? Discuss the
possible reasons.
Answers:
1. Karim's capital is computer whereas the Mishrilal's capital is a
mechanical sugarcane crushing machine. Kareem's labour is hired
whereas Mishrilal and his family members are themselves self
employed. He does not have any hired labour.
2. The possible reasons could be non-availability of persons having a
degree in computer education, less students in college etc.
3. Kishora is a farm labourer. Like other such labourers, Kishora
found it difficult to meet his family's needs from the wages that he
received. A few years back, Kishora took a loan from the bank.
This was under a government programme which was giving cheap
loans to poor landless households. Kishora bought a buffalo with
 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Economics
this money. He now sells the buffalo's milk. Further he has
attached a wooden cart to his buffalo and uses it to transport
various items. Once a week he goes to the river Ganga to bring back
clay for the potter. Or sometimes he goes to Shahpur with a load of
jaggery or other commodities. Every month he gets some work in
transport. As a result, Kishora is able to earn more than what he
used to do some years back.
Questions :
1. What is Kishora's fixed capital?
2. What do you think would be his working capital?
3. In how many production activities is Kishora involved?
4. Would you say that Kishora has benefited from better roads in
Palampur ?
Answers:
1. Kishora's fixed capital is a buffalo and a wooden cart.
2. His working capital would be money.
3. Kishora is now involved in three production activities.
4. Yes. Kishora has benefited from better roads in Palampur. Due to
better road; he is able to transport various items. As a result his income
has increased.
EXERCISE
Q. 1. Every village in India is surveyed once in ten years during the
Census 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)
Cultivated
land
Irrigated Unirrigated Land not
available
for
cultivation
(Area
covering
dwellings,
roads,
 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Economics
ponds,
grazing
grounds),
22
hectares

(d) FACILITIES
Educational
Medical
Market
Electricity
Communication
Nearest Town

Ans.
(a) Location : Palampur
(b) Total area of village: 800 hectares
(c) Land used (in hectares) : 700
Cultivated
land
Irrigated Unirrigated Land not
available
for
cultivation
(Area
covering
dwellings,
roads,
ponds,
grazing
grounds),
200 100 22
hectares

(d) FACILITIES
Educational : Two Primary
schools and
 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Economics
Medical : one high
Market : school
Electricity : Primary
Health Centre
Communication Narrow
: market
Nearest Town : Yes
Nominal

Shahpur

Q. 2. Modern farming methods require Communication more

inputs which are manufactured in Nearest Town industry. Do you
agree?
Ans. Yes, we agree. For example chemical fertilizers and pesticides are
required under modern farming methods. These two inputs are
manufactured in industry.
Q.3. How did the spread of electricity help farmers in Palampur ?
Ans. The spread of electricity helped the farmers of Palampur in a
number of ways:
(i) It helped the farmers of Palampur to irrigate their lands in a far better
way. Formerly they used to irrigate their lands with the help of the
Persian wheels, but it was a slow process and was not so effective. But
now with the help of electricity they could irrigate much larger areas of
land and that too quite quickly and effectively.
(ii) Due to better irrigation facilities as a result of the use of electricity
they could grow different crops all the year round.
Q. 4. Is it important to increase the area under irrigation ? Why?
Ans. Yes, it is important to increase the area under irrigation.
Reasons : Increasing the area under cultivation is important for
following reasons:
1. Rainfall is uncertain and inadequate.
2. There are certain food and cash crops such as rice, wheat, sugarcane
which requires adequate and regular supply of water.
3. HYV seeds need plenty of water.
Q. 5. Construct a table on the distribution of land among 450
families of Palampur.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Economics
Ans. Distribution of land among 450 families of Palampur
No. of Area of land
families
150 Landless
240 Less than 2
60 hectare
More than 2
hectares

Q. 6. Why are the wages for farm labourers in Palampur less than
minimum wages?
Ans. Because there exists abundance labour force and the land is fixed.
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?
Ans. After having talk to two labourers working at construction sites,
we have got the following information about them:
1. They get Rs. 90 per day as wages.
2. They are paid in cash.
3. No, they do not get work regularly.
4. No, they are not in debt.
Q. 8. What are the different ways of increasing production on the
same piece of land ? Use examples to explain.
Ans. Different ways of increasing production on the same piece of land
: Following are two methods of increasing production on the same
piece of land:
1. Multiple Cropping Method : Under this method more than two
crops are raised on a piece of land during the year. It is the most
common way of increasing production on a given piece of land.
Multiple cropping is possible if there exists well-developed system of
irrigation.
2. Modern Farming Methods: The other method for having higher
yield is known as modern farming methods. Under modern farming
methods:
(i) High yielding varieties of seeds (HYVs) are used in place of
traditional seeds.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Economics
(ii) Chemical fertilizers are used in place of cow-dung and other natural
manure as fertilizers.
(iii) Irrigation is done by tube-wells.
(iv) Tractors and threshers are used in farming.
(v) Pesticides are sprayed.
Q. 9. Describe the work of a farmer with 1 hectare of land.
Ans. He works as agricultural labour on the land of others.
Q. 10. How do the medium and large farmers obtain capital for
farming? How is it different from the Small farmers ?
Ans. Medium and large farmers obtain capital from their past savings
for farming. Generally their production is more than their consumption.
They sell the surplus in market and have money. It is their saving. But
the small farmers do not have savings. They arrange capital by taking
loans from moneylenders or large farmers.
Q. 11. On what terms did Savita get a loan from Tejpal Singh ?
Would Savita's condition would be different if she could get a loan
from the bank at a low rate of interest ?
Ans. Savita got a loan from Tejpal Singh on the following terms:
The Story of Village Palampur (Economics)
1. The interest rate on the loan would be 24% for four months.
2. She was required to work on Tejpal Singh's field as a farm labourer
during the harvest season at Rs. 35 per day.
Yes, her condition would be different if she could get loan from the
bank at the lower rate.
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.
Ans. I talked two old residents in my region in connection with the
irrigation and method of farming 30 years back. I found many changes
in irrigation and production methods. The following report conveys the
changes over the last 30 years :
1. Irrigation: 30 years back, the method of irrigation was a very
tedious job. Persian wheels were used by the farmers to draw water
from the wells and irrigate small fields. During the period of 30 years,
the system of irrigation changed. People saw that the electric run
tubewell could irrigate much larger areas of land more effectively. The
 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Economics
first few tube-wells were installed by the government. Soon, farmers
started setting up private tube-Wells.
2. Production Method : Sugarcane crushing was earlier done with the
help of bullock, but people prefer to do it by mechanical sugarcane
crushing machine run on electricity now a days.
Q. 13. What are the non-farm production activities taking place in
your region ? Make a short list.
Ans. Transport, Shopkeeper, Small scale manufacturing of shoes,
readymade garments, dairy are main non-farm production activities
taking place in our region.
Q. 14. What can be done so that more non-farm production
activities can be started in villages?
Ans. Steps to be taken for starting more non-farm production activities
in villages: Following steps can be taken for increasing no farm
production activities in villages:
1. The villages should be made aware of different non-farm production
activities.
2. They should be provided loans by the government at low rate of
interest so that they may start or expand non-farm production activities.
3. Easy and cheap transport facilities should be provided in villages so
that people can easily carry goods to and from the nearby markets.