Exercise Solutions Available
Step-by-step answers for all textbook questions in this chapter
How Village People Earn a Living
People in villages earn their living in different ways:
| Group | How they earn |
|---|---|
| Big farmers | Own large land; hire labourers; sell surplus crops |
| Small farmers | Own small land; work with family labour |
| Agricultural labourers | No land; work for wages on others' farms |
| Artisans | Weaving, pottery, blacksmith work |
| Others | Dairy, fishing, small shops, migrant work |
Small Farmers
- A small farmer owns a small piece of land, often too small to support the family fully.
- They work mostly with family labour.
- Many need loans before the season to buy seeds, fertilisers and to meet daily needs.
- After the harvest, they sell the crop and pay back the loan — often with little left over.
Agricultural Labourers
- They own no land of their own.
- They work on other people's farms for daily wages.
- Work is not steady — busy in sowing and harvest, idle at other times.
- Often among the poorest in the village.
Big Farmers
- Own large land and resources.
- Hire labourers and use machines.
- Produce a surplus (extra) crop to sell in the market.
- Some own rice mills, tractors or other businesses.
The Problem of Rural Debt
- Small farmers and labourers often need loans.
- They borrow from moneylenders or traders at high interest.
- If the crop fails (drought, flood) or prices are low, they cannot repay.
- The loan grows, and people get trapped in debt for years.
Other Rural Livelihoods
- Artisans: weavers, blacksmiths, potters, carpenters.
- Dairy: people who keep cattle and sell milk.
- Fishing and collection of forest produce.
- Small traders and shopkeepers.
- Migrant workers who go to cities for part of the year.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Small farmer | A farmer with a small piece of land |
| Agricultural labourer | A landless worker paid wages on others' farms |
| Big farmer | A farmer with large land and surplus |
| Surplus | Extra crop left after the family's needs |
| Moneylender | A person who lends money, often at high interest |
| Migrant worker | A person who moves to another place for work |
| Artisan | A skilled craftsperson (weaver, blacksmith, etc.) |
Exam Tips
- Know the four groups — big farmers, small farmers, agricultural labourers, artisans — with one line each.
- Small farmers = small land + family labour + loans for seeds; agricultural labourers = no land, daily wages.
- Rural debt comes from loans (seeds, food, weddings) at high interest from moneylenders/traders; crop failure traps people.
- Big farmers have a surplus to sell; small farmers often have none.
- Non-farm work: artisans, dairy, fishing, migrant labour — give 2-3 examples.
Frequently Asked Questions
A small farmer is a person who owns a small piece of land, often too small to fully support the family, and works on it mainly with the help of family labour.