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Practice each question, then open the answer or worked solution.
You have probably noticed that people in Kalpattu are engaged in a variety of non-farm work.
The various farm activities are listed below.
Solution coming soon.
List the different types of people you read about in Kalpattu who depend on farming. Who is the poorest among them, and why?
Different types of people who depend on farming are given below.
Landless farmers are the poorest among them because their daily wage is very less, and they have to depend on landowners for their farming job. Moreover, farming is a seasonal job; hence, during the non-farming season, they have to go in search of other low-income jobs. Whenever someone in the family falls ill, all their savings and earnings are lost.
Imagine you are a member of a fishing family, and you are discussing whether to take a loan from the bank for an engine. What would you say?
The bank is a reliable source for a loan when compared to moneylenders. Moneylenders often charge very high rates of interest, which could lead the family into a debt trap.
Poor rural labourers like Thulasi often do not have access to good medical facilities, good schools and other resources. You have read about inequality in the first unit of this text. The difference between her and Ramalingam is one of inequality. Do you think this is a fair situation? What do you think can be done? Discuss in class.
All are equal in the eyes of the Constitution. It is the duty of the government to provide basic facilities.
What do you think the government can do to help farmers like Sekar when they get into debt? Discuss.
Compare the situation of Sekar and Ramalingam by filling out the following table.
| Sekar | Ramalingam | |
| Land cultivated | ||
| Land required | ||
| Loans required | ||
| Shelling of harvest | ||
| Other work is done by them |
| Sekar | Ramalingam | |
| Land cultivated | Around 2 acres | Around 20 acres |
| Land required | Not required | Required in large numbers |
| Loans required | Yes, for seeds and fertilisers | Yes, for setting up rice mills |
| Shelling of harvest | Sell at low cost to lenders | Sell at a high cost to traders |
| Other work is done by them | Work as labourers in Ramalingam rice mills | Own rice mills and several shops |