Change and Development in Rural Society
Short Questions with answers
1. What is the main occupation of rural India?
Answer : Agriculture is the primary occupation in rural India.
2. What is agrarian society?
Answer : A society centered on agriculture and land ownership.
3. What are New Year festivals in India linked to?
Answer : They are linked to harvest seasons.
4. What is agrarian structure?
Answer : It refers to the distribution of landholding and class in rural areas.
5. What is the Green Revolution?
Answer : It was a program for agricultural modernization using HYV seeds.
6. What is the primary cause of inequality in rural areas?
Answer : Unequal land distribution.
7. Who are dominant castes in rural India?
Answer : Economically and politically powerful landowning castes.
8. What is the role of women in rural agriculture?
Answer : Women often act as agricultural laborers but rarely own land.
9. What is bonded labor?
Answer : A system where workers are tied to landlords through hereditary relationships.
10. What is subsistence agriculture?
Answer : Agriculture aimed at self-sufficiency rather than market production.
11. What is contract farming?
Answer : An agreement where farmers grow crops for companies at fixed prices.
12. What is the significance of the zamindari system?
Answer : It gave landlords control over land and caused agricultural stagnation.
13. What is land reform?
Answer : Laws aiming to redistribute land and abolish intermediaries.
14. What is the Land Ceiling Act?
Answer : It limits the amount of land a family can own.
15. What are migrant workers?
Answer : Laborers who move seasonally for agricultural or construction work.
16. What are HYV seeds?
Answer : High-yielding variety seeds used in modern agriculture.
17. What is feminization of agricultural labor?
Answer : Women increasingly participating in agricultural work.
18. What is the impact of globalisation on agriculture?
Answer : It exposes farmers to international competition.
19. What are cash crops?
Answer : Crops grown primarily for sale rather than consumption.
20. What is monocropping?
Answer : Growing a single crop repeatedly on the same land.
21. What are the main issues caused by the Green Revolution?
Answer : Regional inequality, environmental damage, and social disparity.
22. What is feudal agrarian structure?
Answer : A system where landlords control land and laborers.
23. What is rural-urban migration?
Answer : Movement of people from rural areas to cities for work.
24. What is the impact of liberalisation on farmers?
Answer : It increases their dependence on global markets.
25. What are traditional knowledge systems in agriculture?
Answer : Indigenous practices developed over centuries for sustainable farming.
26. What is agricultural diversification?
Answer : Investing in non-agricultural businesses to reduce risk.
27. What is Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana?
Answer : A government scheme providing crop insurance.
28. What is ecological farming?
Answer : Farming methods that prioritize environmental sustainability.
29. What causes farmer suicides?
Answer : Debt, low prices, and crop failures.
30. What is patronage to exploitation in agriculture?
Answer : Transition from hereditary labor systems to market-based exploitation.
Medium Questions with answers
1. What are the features of the agrarian structure in rural India?
Answer : The agrarian structure is marked by unequal land distribution and dependence on agriculture. Dominant castes typically own most of the land, while lower castes often work as laborers. This inequality shapes rural class and social relations.
2. How did the zamindari system impact agriculture?
Answer : The zamindari system gave landlords control over land, leading to exploitation of cultivators. High taxes and oppressive practices caused agricultural stagnation. The system created class divisions and economic disparity in rural areas.
3. What were the main objectives of land reforms in India?
Answer : Land reforms aimed to abolish intermediaries like zamindars, redistribute surplus land, and regulate tenancy. These measures sought to improve agricultural productivity and reduce rural poverty. However, their implementation was uneven across states.
4. What were the social effects of the Green Revolution?
Answer : The Green Revolution increased inequalities as only wealthy farmers could afford modern inputs. It displaced tenant farmers and laborers due to mechanization. Regional disparities also widened as some areas benefited more than others.
5. How does globalisation affect rural agriculture?
Answer : Globalisation introduces competition from international markets, often reducing farmers’ profits. Contract farming shifts focus to cash crops, making farmers dependent on companies. This process increases economic insecurity and reduces food self-sufficiency.
6. What is the significance of contract farming?
Answer : Contract farming provides financial security and assured markets for farmers. However, it creates dependency on companies and reduces the role of traditional agricultural knowledge. It also diverts land from food production to commercial crops.
7. How has rural society transformed after independence?
Answer : Rural society saw changes like increased cash payments for labor, reduced bonded labor, and the rise of wage laborers. Agricultural commercialization linked rural areas to the market. Infrastructure and educational development diversified rural occupations.
8. What are the consequences of rural-urban migration?
Answer : Migration reduces local labor availability while providing opportunities elsewhere. It leads to feminization of agriculture as women take on farm roles. Migrants face poor working conditions and lack of job security in urban areas.
9. What are the challenges of monocropping?
Answer : Monocropping increases vulnerability to pests and market fluctuations. It reduces soil fertility and biodiversity, harming the environment. Farmers lose fallback options if crops fail, making them financially insecure.
10. How do caste and class intersect in rural India?
Answer : Upper castes often hold economic and political power due to land ownership. Lower castes typically work as laborers, facing discrimination and poverty. This caste-class overlap creates systemic inequality in rural society.
11. What were the main outcomes of the Land Ceiling Act?
Answer : The Land Ceiling Act aimed to redistribute surplus land to the landless but faced loopholes and evasion. Many landlords transferred land to relatives to escape the law. Its limited success highlighted the need for stronger enforcement.
12. What is the feminization of agricultural labor?
Answer : With men migrating for work, women increasingly take on farm roles. They face lower wages and lack ownership rights despite their contributions. This trend highlights gender inequalities in rural labor systems.
13. What are the environmental impacts of the Green Revolution?
Answer : The Green Revolution increased pesticide and fertilizer use, leading to soil and water pollution. It caused a loss of traditional crop varieties and reduced biodiversity. Over-irrigation contributed to waterlogging and salinization in some regions.
14. How did liberalisation change Indian agriculture?
Answer : Liberalisation exposed farmers to global competition, reducing subsidies and increasing input costs. Imported goods replaced local products, creating market instability. These policies led to debt and financial crises for many farmers.
15. What are the effects of bonded labor abolition?
Answer : The abolition of bonded labor reduced hereditary labor systems but did not eliminate exploitation. Many workers shifted to insecure wage labor without significant economic improvement. It marked a step toward rural social transformation.
Long Questions with answers
1. What is the relationship between caste and agrarian structure in rural India?
Answer : The agrarian structure is deeply influenced by caste, with dominant castes owning most land. Lower castes often serve as landless laborers, creating economic and social disparities. Dominant castes hold power over resources and labor. This caste-class overlap perpetuates inequality in rural society.
2. What were the key impacts of the Green Revolution?
Answer : The Green Revolution boosted agricultural productivity and made India self-sufficient in food grains. However, it increased regional inequalities and displaced tenant farmers. Environmental damage due to chemical use and water overextraction was significant. Rich farmers benefited more, widening rural wealth gaps.
3. What were the main objectives of land reforms in post-independence India?
Answer : Land reforms aimed to redistribute land and abolish intermediaries like zamindars. They sought to reduce inequality and increase agricultural productivity. Despite initial success, implementation varied across states. The reforms marked a step toward rural modernization but faced challenges.
4. What are the social consequences of rural-urban migration?
Answer : Migration reduces local labor, increasing women’s roles in agriculture. Migrants face poor conditions in cities and often lack stable jobs. It affects family structures, with women and children staying behind. The trend highlights rural economic pressures and urban employment challenges.
5. How does globalisation impact rural society?
Answer : Globalisation exposes farmers to market volatility and increases reliance on inputs like seeds and fertilizers. Contract farming benefits companies more than farmers, reducing traditional practices. It contributes to economic insecurity and environmental issues. These challenges call for sustainable rural policies.
6. What were the negative outcomes of the Green Revolution?
Answer : The Green Revolution widened inequalities and displaced small farmers. Overuse of chemicals caused environmental degradation. It created regional disparities, with some areas benefiting more. The focus on monocropping reduced biodiversity and increased financial risks for farmers.
7. How did rural society transform after the Green Revolution?
Answer : Rural society saw increased commercialization and market linkages. Wage laborers replaced bonded labor, and cash payments became common. Medium and large farmers invested profits in non-agricultural ventures. These changes diversified rural economies and altered traditional relationships.
8. What are the issues faced by women in rural agriculture?
Answer : Women contribute significantly to farming but lack land ownership rights. They are paid less than men and face poor working conditions. Migration increases their burden as they manage households and farms. Addressing these issues is crucial for gender equity in rural development.
9. What are the ecological challenges of modern agriculture?
Answer : Modern agriculture causes soil degradation, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss. Overuse of chemicals pollutes the environment and harms ecosystems. Farmers face long-term productivity issues due to unsustainable practices. Shifting to organic and traditional methods can mitigate these challenges.
10. What steps can improve rural livelihoods?
Answer : Promoting sustainable farming, better market access, and rural infrastructure can enhance livelihoods. Strengthening land reforms and ensuring fair wages address economic inequality. Supporting education and skill development creates non-agricultural opportunities. Comprehensive policies are needed for holistic rural growth.
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