NCERT 6th Class (CBSE) Social Science: Rural Livelihoods

Question: List the three situations in which crops can be ruined.

Answer: The three situations in which crops can be ruined are:

1. If the seeds are not of good quality.
2. If pests attack the crop.
3. If the monsoon does not bring enough rain.

Question: Write a brief note on the lifestyle of the people of Chizami.

Answer: Chizami is a village in Phek district in Nagaland. The people of this village do terrace farming. They have their own individual fields. But, they also work collectively in each other’s fields. They form groups of six or eight and take an entire mountain side to clean the needs on it. Each group eats together once their work for the day is over.

Question: Write a short note on the lives of fishing families.

Answer: Fishing families usually live close to the sea. Their lives revolve around the sea and fish. One can find rows of catamarans and nets lying around their houses. Their day usually starts from 7 O’clock in the morning. This is the time when there is a lot of activity on the beach. After catching fish the fishermen return with their catamarans. Women then gather to buy and sell fish.They do not go to the sea for at least four months during the monsoon because this is when the fish breed. During these months they survive by borrowing from the trader. And thus, they are forced to sell the fish to that trader later on.The lives of fisher-folk are full of risks. Whenever there is a storm, they have to suffer a lot. In 2004, the tsunami hit them badly. They were the worst sufferers.

Question: What different activities are done by the people of Kalpattu village?

Answer: Kalpattu is coastal village in Tamil Nadu. As the village is surrounded by low hills, paddy is the main crop here. Most of the families earn a living through agriculture. Besides agriculture, people do many non-farm activities such as making baskets, utensils, pots, bricks, bullock carts, etc. The village has no dearth of service providers like blacksmiths, nurses, teachers, washermen, weavers, barbers, cycle repair mechanics and so on. One can find here shopkeepers and traders too. There is a bazaar where a variety of small shops such as tea shops, grocery shops, a tailor, seed shop etc. can be found. There are some coconut groves around the village. A group of people earn their living by working in mango orchards. In the village, there are small farmers as well as big farmers. There are landless labourers too who work in other’s field.

Question: Under which circumstances poor farmers find themselves unable to pay back their loans? What happens after that?

Answer: Poor farmers are bound to take loans for agriculture purpose. Sometimes they successfully pay back the loans but there are also moments when they fail to do that in time because of crop failure. This is a very tough time for them. For the family to survive, they have to borrow more money. Soon the loan becomes so large that no matter what they earn, they are unable to repay. This is when we can say they are caught in debt. Whenever this situation occurs, farmers become helpless. Their helplessness to repay the loan sometimes compel them to commit suicide.