NCERT Solutions for Class 7 social science Chapter 13: The Story of Indian Farming Class 7

What are the main characteristics of Indian agriculture?
Answer:
The main Characteristics of Indian Agriculture are:
(i) Deep Cultural Roots: The word agriculture comes from Latin words ‘agri’ means ‘field’ and ‘culture’ means ‘to cultivate’. Indian agriculture is not limited to growing crops; it includes livestock rearing, beekeeping (apiculture), fisheries, silkworm rearing, silk production, and fibre production like cotton and hemp. This shows how rich and diverse India’s farming traditions are.

How are farming, climate, soil, and water interrelated?
Answer:
Farming in any region depends mainly on its climate, which decides the temperature and rainfall a place receives. Different climates support different kinds of crops. For example, rice grows well in warm areas with plenty of rain, while wheat grows best in cooler places with moderate rainfall. Some crops like millets and pulses thrive even in dry climates, whereas tea and coffee grow beautifully in hilly regions with cool weather. Thus, the climate of a place guides farmers in choosing the right crops.

How can traditional practices and contemporary ones complement each other?
Answer:
Traditional practices and contemporary ones complement each other in the following ways:
Traditional practices use natural methods like mixed farming, organic manure, and crop rotation. While, contemporary (modern) practices use machines, HYV (High Yielding Variety) seeds, fertilisers, and latest irrigation technology. When both are used together, farming becomes more efficient and ecofriendly. Traditional methods protect the soil and environment, while modern methods increase production. By combining both, farmers can grow healthier crops in a faster and safer way.

(a) Create a list of the foods you typically eat.
(b) Identify the grains, pulses, oils, vegetables, and fruits in them.
(c) Now locate where you live on a physical map of India. (You may refer to the political map of India at the end of the book if you wish.)
(d) Which of the food items do you think grow in and around where you live?
(e) What do you think are the reasons that they are cultivated in your region?
(f) Which of them comes from other places?
(g) Why do you think they are not grown in your area? (Page 3)
Answer:
(Suggested answer)
(a) The foods I usually eat are:

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? (Page 7)
Answer:
If the rainfall is very low for two years, many crops may not grow properly because they need enough water. As a result, some food items may be not available or become costly and may disappear from our meals. Items that are likely to disappear or become costly in meals due to less than normal rains, are:

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. (Page 9)
Answer:
(Suggested answer)

Try to name at least two states in each of the zones mentioned above. (Page 11)
Answer:
Two states that fall under the following agroclimatic zones are:

Which type of soil is predominantly found in your state or union territory? (Page 11)
Answer:
(Suggested answer) Type of soil predominantly found in Bihar.
Alluvial Soil is the most common soil in Bihar. It is found in almost the entire state because Bihar lies in the Gangetic plain. This soil is fertile, rich in minerals, and very good for growing rice, wheat, maize, pulses, sugarcane, and vegetables.

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? (Page 11)
Answer:
After collecting soil from my neighbourhood and observing it closely, I found that it is made up of different materials. The soil has small grains of sand, fine silt, and clay mixed together. I also noticed a few tiny pebbles and small pieces of dry leaves. Along with these, there were some thin roots and bits of organic matter. All these things together make up the soil in my area.

Take up a small group project. Identify the types of vegetables, fruits, and trees that grow in the different soil types. (Page 11)
Answer:
For our small group project, we studied different’ soil types and learnt that each one supports different vegetables, fruits, and trees.

Create a family food flowchart that connects your favourite dishes to the different crops they are prepared from and the corresponding soil types in which they are cultivated. (Page 11)
Answer:
(Suggested answer) Here is the flow chart of the food items we eat and the soil types they are cultivated in.

Identify modern agricultural solutions inspired by traditional practices (for example, neem-based practices). (Page 22)
Answer:
Some Modern Agricultural Solutions Inspired by Traditional Practices are as follows:

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. (Page 25)
Answer:
(Suggested answer) I watched Krishi Darshan, a programme on agriculture telecasted daily on DD Kisan channel and also on DD National. I was able to gather the following information.

The Arthashastra contains sections on agriculture, including the preparation of land and seeds, as well as payment to farmers and other relevant topics. “A good rainy season is one when one-third of the annual rainfall occurs at the beginning (shravaa – July-August) and at the end of the season (Kartika – OctoberNovember), and two-thirds in the middle (Prauşhţhapada – August-September and Ashvayuja – September-October).” Why do you think this statement was made? (Hint: Did it have anything to do with the crop cycle?) (Page 10)
Answer:
The statement in the Arthashastra about how rainfall should be spread across the season was made because the timing of rain was very important for the traditional crop cycle. Farmers needed the right amount of water at the right time for crops to grow properly.

Why do farmers in Kerala grow rice while farmers in Punjab grow mostly wheat? What would happen if they swapped?
Answer:
Rice in Kerala and wheat in Punjab aren’t just habits; they’re the botanical equivalent of “right crop at right home.” Each crop has its own favourite climate, soil, and water needs, and the two states sit at opposite ends of India’s environmental chessboard.

Match the following:

Answer:

Why do certain crops thrive in specific regions?
Answer:
Crops thrive in specific regions because each crop needs certain conditions to grow well, and different places provide different climate, soil, and water conditions.

How has modern technology helped farmers?
Answer:
Modern technology has helped farmers in many powerful ways, making farming faster, easier, and more productive. Some of them are as follows:

Why is sustainable agriculture important? Write a short note on this.
Answer:
Sustainable agriculture is important because it protects soil, saves water, and reduces pollution while producing healthy food. It helps farmers maintain long-term productivity, supports biodiversity, and ensures future generations can meet their food needs without harming the environment.

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

Have a debate in class on the topic “Traditional irrigation methods are better than modern ones.”
Answer:
Debate For and Against the motion on “Traditional irrigation methods are better than modern ones.

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:
Farming in the Future
When I will be 60 years old, I imagine farming will look very different from today. Fields will have smart sensors to monitor soil, water, and crop health. Robots and drones will plant seeds, spray fertilisers, and harvest crops efficiently. Water will be saved using advanced drip and sprinkler systems, and crops will grow with organic and eco-friendly methods.

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:
For our group project, we studied the Ganga basin and the problems it faces. The main issues include water pollution from sewage and industrial waste, deforestation along the riverbanks causing soil erosion, overfishing that reduces fish populations, and floods during heavy rains due to poor water management.

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:
When I look at the crops mentioned in ‘Echoes from the Past’, I find that many are still used in my home. These include rice, wheat, barley, millets, pulses like green gram and black gram, oilseeds such as sesame and mustard, and fruits like mango and jackfruit.