Last updated on March 14th, 2025 at 10:30 pm
Q: How did seed storage practices change over time?
A: In the beginning, farmers like Damjibhai used to store the seeds of their good crops themselves, but later farmers started buying new types of seeds from the market instead of storing them themselves.
Q: What did Bhaskarbhai use to determine which part of his farm needed water?
A: Bhaskarbhai used croton plants as indicators – when their leaves wilted, it indicated that the soil in that area was dry.
Q: Why were earthworms considered the best friend of the soil in Bhaskarbhai’s farm?
A: Earthworms would soften the soil by making tunnels allowing air and water to enter and their droppings would make the soil fertile.
Q: What is the traditional method of making natural manure mentioned in the story?
A: Natural manure was made by allowing dead leaves to rot and mix with the soil and by using cow dung.
Q: How did farmers’ dependence on loans increase?
A: Farmers needed loans to buy expensive fertilizers, pesticides and water pumps and to meet other rising farming expenses.
Q: What did Damjibhai’s family traditionally grow in their fields?
A: They traditionally grew millets, sorghum, a variety of cereals and vegetables depending on the season.
Q: What was special about farming in Damjibhai’s time?
A: Farming in Damjibhai’s time involved growing multiple crops, saving seeds, using natural manures and the whole community helping each other.
Q: How did market prices affect farming choices?
A: When certain crops like wheat and cotton got better prices in the market, most farmers started growing only these crops instead of maintaining crop diversity.
Q: What happened to the traditional practice of community meals in the village?
A: The traditional practice of community meals changed from being regular to only happening on very special days, and people remembered how food used to taste better earlier.