The Story of Indian Farming Class 7 Questions and Answers SST Part 2 Chapter 1

Start practicing the Exploring Society India and Beyond Class 7 Solutions and Class 7 SST Part 2 Chapter 1 The Story of Indian Farming Question Answer to consolidate your knowledge effectively.

The Story of Indian Farming Questions and Answers Class 7 SST Part 2 Chapter 1

The Story of Indian Farming Class 7 Question Answer

The Big Questions? (Page 1)

Question 1.
What are the main characteristics of Indian agriculture?
Answer:
The main characteristics of Indian agriculture are-

• Indian agriculture is mainly subsistence farming, where farmers grow crops for their own use.
• It depends heavily on the monsoon.
• Small landholdings, traditional methods, and use of family labour are common.
• Major crops vary by region.
• Agriculture supports a large population and is an important part of India’s economy.

Question 2.
How are farming, climate, soil, and watér interrelated?
Answer:
Farming depends on climate, soil, and water. Climate affects temperature and rainfall needed for crops. Soil provides nutrients for plant growth. Water is essential for irrigation. Good climate, fertile soil, and enough water help crops grow well, while poor conditions can reduce production. All these factors are closely connected.

Question 3.
How can traditional practices and contemporary ones complement each other?
Answer:
Traditional practices like crop rotation, organic manure, and water conservation are eco-friendly and protect soil health. Contemporary methods like modern machinery, improved seeds, and irrigation increase production. When used together, they improve yield while caring for the environment. This balance helps farmers grow more crops in a sustainable and efficient way.

 Let’s Explore (Page 7)

Question 1.
Imagine that your state received less than normal monsoon rains for two consecutive years. Which items are likely to disappear from your meals, or are likely to become difficult to access?
Answer:
With reference to Rajasthan: If Rajasthan receives less than normal monsoon rains for two consecutive years, water scarcity will increase. People may depend more on drought-resistant foods like bajra and dry pulses. Green vegetables may disappear from meals, wheat may difficult to grow, milk and milk products may reduce due to shortage of fodder for cattle.

 Let’s Explore (Page 9)

Question 1.
Prepare a list of the crops that are cultivated in your state or union territory in a year and classify them into kharif, rabi, and zaid.

Answer:
With reference to Rajasthan:
1. Kharif crops-Grown in rainy season June to October.
Examples-Bajra, Jowar, Maize, Groundnut.

2. Rabi crops-Grown in winter season October to March.
Examples-Wheat, Barley, Gram (Chana), Mustard, Peas.

3. Zaid crops-Grown in summer seasonMarch to June.
Examples-Watermelon, Muskmelon, Cucumber, Vegetables.

Let’s Explore (Page 11)

Question 1.
Try to name at least two states in each of the zones mentioned above.

Answer:
Major soil types and their states :

• Alluvial soil: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal
• Black soil: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh
• Red soil: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha
• Laterite soil: Kerala, Karnataka, Assam
• Desert (Arid) soil: Assam, Odisha, Kerala
• Forest and mountain soil: Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh.

Question 2.
Which type of soil is predominantly found in your state or union territory?
Answer:
Arid (Desert) soil is predominantly found in our state (Rajasthan).

Question 3.
Soils tell us stories about places-what might have happened over thousands of years during which the soils were being formed. Take a few samples of soil from your neighbourhood. Look carefully at them. (Examine the soil using a magnifying glass or microscope if you have access to either.) What do the samples consist of ? What might be the origins of the soil? Are there signs of human activity that you notice?

What might happen to the soil over time on account of this?
Answer:
With reference to Rajasthan:

• Soils are formed over thousands of years by the weathering of rocks.
• We have taken a sample of soil, it consists of sand, less moisture and humus.
• Origin of the soil is weathering of nearby rocks having sandy texture.
• Yes, human activities such as deforestation, overgrazing, instensive farming etc. are impacting arid soil and formation.

 Let’s Explore (Page 25)

Question 1.
Listen to the special programmes for farmers on the radio or watch a programme on television for a few days. Write down carefully the information that is shared through these mediums. Make a short report on the categories of information you gathered as well as questions that came to your mind during this activity.
Answer:

• Information about weather forecasts like rainfall, temperature and storms.
• Guidance on sowing time and suitable crops for the season.
• Information about irrigation methods and water management.
• Details about government schemes, subsidies and loans for farmers.
• Updates on market prices (mandi rates) of crops.

Questions that came to mind include:

• Which crop is best for my area?
• When should I sow or harvest?
• How can I protect crops from pests or drought?

The Story of Indian Farming Class 7 Solutions

Question 1.
Why do farmers in Kerala grow rice while farmers in Punjab grow mostly wheat? What would happen if they swapped?
Answer:
Kerala receives heavy rainfall from both the southwest and northeast monsoons and has tropical wet climate and suitable soil for rice. Rice needs a lot of water, so it grows well there. Punjab has fertile alluvial soil and a cooler winter season, which is ideal for wheat (a rabi crop). If they swapped, the crops might not grow well because climate, soil, and water availability are different in both regions. Wheat may not grow properly in Kerala’s hot and wet conditions, and rice may not grow easily in Punjab without enough water.

Question  2.
Match the following :

Answer:

Column A	Column B
(a) Kharif crops	(ii) Crops grown during the monsoon
(b) Rabi crops	(i) Crops during the winter
(c) Alluvial soil	(v) Soil rich in nutrients deposited by rivers
(d) Terrace farming	(iv) Crops grown in summer
(e) Alpine soil	(iii) Thin, rough, and rocky soil found in mountainous regions
(f) Zaid crops	(iv) Crops grown in summer

Question 3.
Why do certain crops thrive in specific regions?
Answer:
Certain crops thrive in specific regions because of differences in climate, soil type, rainfall, temperature, and availability of water. For example, black soil is good for cotton, and alluvial soil is good for wheat and rice. Crops grow best where the natural conditions suit their needs.

Question 4.
How has modern technology helped farmers?
Answer:
Modern technology has helped farmers in many ways as-

• Modern technology and machines like tractors, harvesters save time and labour.
• Seeds developed with scientific technology provide higher yield and are pre-resistant.
• Drip and sprinkler irrigation systems use water efficiently.
• Weather forecasting in advance and research help farmers to plan better.
• Modern technology, such as the Green Revolution are highly productive and can produce a substantial amount of crop quickly.

Question 5.
Why is sustainable agriculture important? Write a short note on this.
Answer:
Sustainable agriculture is important because it protect the environment by ecofriendly practices and by conserving soil and water. It helps maintain soil fertility and prevents soil erosion. Sustainable farming combines traditional wisdom with modern science. It uses organic manure, neem-based pesticides, and natural methods. This helps farmers grow crops without harming nature and ensures food for future generations.

Question 6.
Name some challenges that farmers face today. What might be their impact for people?
Answer:
Challenges that farmers face today are:

• Farmers face challenges like small holdings, climate change, non-affordability of modern equipment, and market challenges.
• It is also difficult for farmers to use tractors and other machines on their farms-the machines are designed for larger farms and are expensive to buy or rent.
• With increasing unpredictability of weather patterns and more frequent extreme events farmers face a higher risk of crop destruction, leading at times to heavy losses.

Impact on people-These challenges reduces crop production. As a result, food becomes costly and sometimes scarce causing difficulties for both farmers and consumers.

Question 7.
Have a debate in class on the topic “Traditional irrigation methods are better than modern ones.”
Answer:
Traditional irrigation methods are better: Traditional irrigation methods like wells, tanks, baolis and canals are eco-friendly and conserve water. They use local knowledge and are suitable for the climate and soil of the region. These methods are affordable and easy to maintain for small farmers. Traditional methods help in recharging groundwater and prevent overe-xtraction of water. Traditional system promote community participation and cooperation.

Modern irrigation methods are better : Modern irrigation methods like drip and sprinkler systems save more water. These methods provide water directly to plant roots, increasing crop yield. Modern irrigation methods reduce wastage of water and soil erosion. Modern methods save time and labour for farmers. These methods are more efficient and suitable for large scale farming.

Conclusion: Both traditional and modern irrigation methods have their own advantages. A balanced use of traditional wisdom along with modern technology can help in achieving sustainable agriculture.

Question 8.
Write a short essay describing what farming might be like when you are 60 years old. You could also draw / paint a picture to illustrate what you envision.
Answer:
When I am 60 years old, farming may be more advanced and eco-friendly. Farmers may use self-driven tractors, robotic harvester. Smaller urban farms might use vertical farming techniques. Data collection from sensors and satellites will allow farmers to monitor crop health and soil condition in real time.

Genetic engineering will play a major role in developing crops that are more resilient to climate change, require less water and have greater nutritional values. More focus will be on sustainable pathways. Integrated pest management will be likely to use to manage soil health. Vertical and indoor farming will be common in cities, providing fresh produce locally and reducing the need for long distance transportation.

Question 9.
Form small groups and discuss the issues affecting the Ganga basin. Prepare a presentation proposing your solutions and their rationale (your reasons). Share and discuss in class. Your teacher will guide you in this exercise.
Answer:
Issues affecting the Ganga Basin and their solutions.
1. Water Pollution:
Issue: Untreated sewage, industrial waste and religious activities pollute the river.
Solution: Proper treatment of sewage and industrial waste before releasing it into the river.

2. Overuse of Water :
Issue: Excessive use of river water for irrigation and domestic purposes reduces water level.
Solution: Judicious use of water and adoption of water saving irrigation methods.

3. Deforestation :
Issue: Cutting of trees in the basin leads to soil erosion and floods.
Solution: Afforestation and protection of forests in the river basin.

4. Floods :
Issue: Heavy rainfall and poor drainage cause frequent floods in the basin.
Solution: Construction of embankments, dams and proper flood management systems.

5. Solid Waste Dumping :
Issue: Garbage and plastic waste are dumped into the river.
Solution: Proper waste management and awareness among people to keep the river clean.

Question 10.
Looking at the crops listed in the section ‘Echoes from the Past’, which ones do you find in use in your home? What conclusion can you draw from your observations?
Answer:

• Rice, wheat, pulses, vegetables are used in our homes.
• We have observed that ancient farming knowledge is still in use.
• Indian agriculture has strong continuity.
• Traditional crops are important today.