The Story of Village Palampur

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

Yes I agree as we are using the modern machines GM seeds, HYV seeds as these all need more inputs which are manufactured in industries.

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

Most of the houses have electric connections. Electricity powers all the tube wells in the fields and is used in various types of small business, canals, wells, industries etc and for machines.

3. It is important to increase the land under irrigation? Why?

It is important to increase the land under irrigation because if there is a increase in irrigation there is a increase in production too.

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

Actually the minimum wage is Rs.115. If the farmer is small and has small land would work in that and his small farmer family members would help him in the work process. But the large farmer having large farm would be helped by the workers as the small farmers. So, this was the main and the large farmers would take loan and the small farmers would take money from money lenders. So this was the another reason.

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

The different ways of increasing production on the same piece of land is multiple farming means growing of several crops in one single land increases the production.

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

Actually the minimum wage is RS.115. If it is on small farmer his family would help him in the work process. The large and medium farmers would have small farmers for the minimum wage or the workers present with him. The large farmers would take loan from the government or banks and small farmers take from money lenders.

7. On what terms did Savitha get a loan from Tejpal singh? Would Savita’s condition be different if she get a loan from the bank at a low rate of interest?

Savita is a small farmer. She plans to cultivate wheat on he1 hectare of land. Besides seeds, fertilizers of pesticides. She needs cash to buy water and repair her farm instruments. She estimates that the working capital itself would cost a minimum of Rs.3,000/-. She doesn’t have the money , so she decides to borrow from Tejpal singh is larger farmer he decides to a loan to Savita on the interest rate of 24% PA. Savita promises him as she will give the money and work as a labour in Tejpal singh farm. Savita agrees to these tough conditions a she knows getting a loan is difficult for a small farmer.

8.What are the non-farm production activities taking place in your region? Make a shortlist.

Example: Dairy farms, small scale industries & large scale industries, etc.