1. Census Details of Palampur
Location: Bulandshahr District, Western Uttar Pradesh
b. Total Area of the Village: 226 hectares
c. Land Use (in hectares):
Cultivated Land (Irrigated): 200 hectares
Land not available for cultivation (dwellings, roads, ponds, grazing ground): 26 hectares
Facilities:
Educational: 1 high school, 2 primary schools
Medical: 1 private dispensary, 1 government primary health centre
Market: 2 markets (Raiganj and Shahpur)
Electricity Supply: Most houses have electricity. Tubewells and small businesses use electricity.
Communication: Well-connected to nearby villages; transportation includes bullock carts, tongas, motorcycles, jeeps, and trucks.
Nearest Town: Shahpur
2. Do modern farming methods require industrial inputs?
Ans: Yes, modern farming methods depend on industrial inputs, such as:
High-yielding variety (HYV) seeds
Chemical fertilizers and pesticides
Agricultural equipment like tractors
Irrigation systems like electric tubewells
In contrast, traditional farming relies on natural manure and low-yield seeds, making it less reliant on industrial products.
3. How did the spread of electricity benefit Palampur farmers?
Ans: Electricity transformed irrigation in Palampur:
Replaced Persian wheels with electric tubewells.
Enabled irrigation of all 200 hectares of farmland.
The government installed the first tubewell, followed by private installations by farmers.
4. Why is it important to increase irrigated land?
Ans: Less than 40% of India’s cultivable land is irrigated.
Farmers depend heavily on unreliable monsoons, risking crop failure.
Increasing irrigation ensures higher agricultural output and encourages the adoption of modern farming methods.
5. Land Distribution in Palampur
Land Size | Number of Families |
0 hectares | 150 |
Less than 2 hectares | 240 |
More than 2 hectares
| 60 |
6. Why are farm labour wages in Palampur below minimum wages?
Ans: High competition among landless labourers for limited jobs.
Government-declared minimum wage is Rs. 300/day, but many work for less due to lack of alternatives.
7. Labourer Survey
This is a student activity to gather information about wages, payment methods (cash or kind), work regularity, and debt status.
8. Increasing production on the same land
Ans: Multiple Cropping: Growing more than one crop in a year.
Example: In Palampur, farmers grow jowar and bajra in the rainy season, potato between October-December, and wheat in winter.
Use of HYV Seeds and Fertilizers: Boosts yield.
Better Irrigation: Ensures year-round cultivation.
9. Work of a Farmer with 1 Hectare of Land
Ans: Small farmers rely on family labour and may borrow money from moneylenders at high interest.
Produce is divided between personal use and market sale.
Often face challenges like repaying loans and earning enough for themselves.
10. Capital for Medium and Large Farmers
Ans: Medium and large farmers save money from selling surplus produce.
Savings are used to buy capital for the next season or reinvest in businesses like shops or transportation.
Small farmers, in contrast, borrow money at high interest rates.
11. Savita’s Loan from Tejpal Singh
Ans: Loan Terms: 24% interest for four months + farm labour for Rs. 100/day.
Alternative (Bank Loan): Lower interest rates and no need to work for Tejpal Singh, allowing her to focus on her own field.
12. Changes in Irrigation and Farming in the Last 30 Years
This is a student activity to gather information from local residents.
13. Non-Farm Activities in the Region
Ans: Examples of non-farm production activities:
Dairy farming
Transportation
General stores
Fishing
Mining
14. Promoting Non-Farm Activities
Ans: Steps to encourage non-farm production activities:
Provide low-interest loans to villagers.
Develop proper markets for selling goods.
Improve transportation links between villages and cities for better trade opportunities.