The Story of Village Palampur Class 9 Extra Questions and Answers Free PDF Download
Chapter 1 of CBSE Class 9 Economics introduces basic production concepts through the story of a fictional village called Palampur, where farming is the main activity. The Story of Village Palampur Important Questions also explores other activities like small-scale manufacturing, dairy, and transport, which occur on a smaller scale. Students can learn how various resources are combined to produce goods and services in the village. We have solved the CBSE Class 9 Economics Chapter 1 Important Questions and Answers, "The Story of Village Palampur," to make it easier for students to review.
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Students can download the CBSE Class 9 Economics Important Questions for this chapter from the PDF link provided below. The updated CBSE Class 9 Social Science Syllabus includes key topics in history, geography, political science, and economics.
FAQs on CBSE Important Questions for Class 9 Social Science Economics The Story of Village Palampur - 2025-26
1. What are the most important topics in 'The Story of Village Palampur' for the CBSE Class 9 exams for 2025-26?
For the 2025-26 exams, students should focus on these key areas from the chapter:
- The four factors of production: Land, Labour, Physical Capital (Fixed and Working), and Human Capital.
- Farming in Palampur: Including land distribution, multiple cropping, and the impact of modern farming methods (Green Revolution).
- Capital for Farming: How small, medium, and large farmers arrange for capital.
- Non-farm Activities: Understanding economic activities beyond agriculture, such as dairy, transport, and small-scale manufacturing.
Questions are often asked on the differences between traditional and modern farming and the sustainability of land use.
2. What are the four essential requirements for the production of goods and services, as explained in the context of Palampur?
The four essential requirements, or factors of production, are:
- Land: This includes all natural resources like soil, water, and forests. In Palampur, land is the primary fixed resource for farming.
- Labour: The people who will do the work. This includes both skilled and unskilled workers, such as farm labourers in Palampur.
- Physical Capital: The variety of inputs required at every stage of production. It is divided into two types:
- Fixed Capital: Tools, machines, and buildings that can be used over many years (e.g., tractors, tubewells).
- Working Capital: Raw materials and money in hand used up in production (e.g., seeds, fertilisers, cash for wages).
- Human Capital: The knowledge and enterprise required to put together land, labour, and physical capital to produce an output.
3. How do farmers in Palampur grow more than one crop on the same piece of land? What is this practice called?
This practice is called multiple cropping. Farmers in Palampur are able to do this because the village has a well-developed system of irrigation, allowing them to cultivate land throughout the year. For example, during the rainy (kharif) season, they grow jowar and bajra. This is followed by the cultivation of potatoes between October and December. In the winter (rabi) season, they sow wheat. A part of the land is also devoted to sugarcane, which is harvested once every year. This ensures that the land is never idle and productivity is maximised.
4. For a 5-mark question, how would you compare modern and traditional farming methods based on the chapter?
To answer a 5-mark question comparing farming methods, you should structure your answer with a clear distinction between the two:
- Modern Farming Methods: These rely on High-Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and assured irrigation through tubewells and canals. This method significantly increases crop yield but is expensive and can harm the environment.
- Traditional Farming Methods: These use traditional seeds with lower yields, rely on natural manures like cow dung, and depend heavily on monsoon rains for irrigation. This method is more sustainable and less costly but results in lower productivity.
A good answer would also mention the Green Revolution as the turning point that introduced modern farming to India and discuss its long-term impact on soil fertility and the water table in Palampur.
5. Why are wages for farm labourers in Palampur often less than the minimum wages set by the government?
Wages for farm labourers in Palampur are often below the legal minimum wage primarily due to heavy competition for work. There are many landless families and small farmers who are willing to work for lower wages because the demand for labour is limited and seasonal. This oversupply of labour gives large farmers the power to negotiate wages down. The work is not available throughout the year, so labourers accept whatever wage is offered to secure employment, even if it is below the government-mandated rate.
6. How is capital arranged by small farmers in Palampur, and how does it differ from that of large farmers?
There is a significant difference in how capital is arranged:
- Small Farmers: They often lack savings and must borrow money to buy inputs like seeds and fertilisers. They typically take loans from large farmers or village moneylenders who charge a very high rate of interest, trapping them in a cycle of debt.
- Medium and Large Farmers: They usually have their own savings from the sale of surplus farm produce from previous seasons. They use these savings as their working capital and do not need to borrow. They may even have enough surplus to lend money to small farmers.
7. 'The Green Revolution is associated with the loss of soil fertility.' How can this be a frequently asked exam question from this chapter?
This is a crucial higher-order thinking (HOTS) question because it tests your understanding of the negative consequences of modern farming. The key points to include are:
- The continuous use of chemical fertilisers has destroyed soil bacteria and microorganisms, leading to a degradation of soil quality and fertility.
- Overuse of irrigation from tubewells has led to a sharp depletion of the water table in many areas.
- Once depleted, natural resources like soil fertility and groundwater are very difficult and slow to restore, raising serious questions about the sustainability of modern agricultural practices.
8. What are some of the important non-farm production activities taking place in Palampur?
While farming is the main activity, several non-farm activities also provide income for the villagers. Important ones include:
- Dairy: Many families own buffaloes and sell milk in the nearby large village, Raiganj.
- Small-Scale Manufacturing: This is done on a very basic level, mostly at home or in the fields with family labour. A common example is jaggery (gur) production from sugarcane.
- Shopkeeping: General stores in the village sell a wide range of items like rice, wheat, sugar, soap, and stationery.
- Transport: A variety of vehicles like rickshaws, jeeps, tractors, and bullock carts operate on the road connecting Palampur to Raiganj, transporting people and goods.
9. How does the unequal distribution of land in Palampur create a cycle of poverty for small farmers and labourers?
The unequal distribution of land is a core cause of economic disparity in Palampur. Here’s how it creates a cycle of poverty:
- Limited Income for Small Farmers: Small plots of land produce very little surplus, so the income generated is just enough for family consumption, leaving no savings for the next season.
- Dependence on Loans: To farm their small plots, they must take high-interest loans from large farmers or moneylenders, leading to debt.
- Source of Cheap Labour: To repay loans or supplement their income, small farmers and their families often have to work as labourers on the farms of large landowners, creating a large pool of cheap labour that keeps wages low for everyone.
This system ensures that large farmers grow wealthier from their surplus and money-lending, while small farmers and landless labourers remain trapped in poverty.
