NCERT MCQ Solutions for Class 5 EVS Looking Around Chapter 19 A Seed Tells a Farmer’s Story

A traditional method involved storing seeds inside a dried gourd (lauki). The gourd was then coated with mud to protect the seeds from insects and keep them safe.

A farmer might build a sturdy wooden box to store different types of seeds separately and securely, often with neem leaves added to protect them from insects.

Undhiya is a traditional Gujarati mixed vegetable dish. It is famously cooked upside down in a sealed clay pot placed amongst hot coals, giving it a unique, smoky flavor.

Electricity allows farmers to use electric pumps for irrigation and run machines. This often leads to a shift from growing diverse traditional crops to profitable single cash crops.

In modern farming, “progress” is often measured by higher profits. This is achieved using tractors, expensive hybrid seeds, and chemical fertilizers to grow cash crops for the market.

The overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can damage the soil over time. The land can lose its fertility, making it difficult to grow healthy crops in the future.

The younger generation might leave farming because it becomes unprofitable due to crop failures, low prices, and heavy debts from bank loans taken for seeds and fertilizers.

An organic farmer can use special “indicator plants” like crotons. When the leaves of these plants start to droop, it signals that the soil is getting dry.

Earthworms act as nature’s ploughs. They make the soil soft by digging tunnels underneath and enrich it with their waste, providing a natural fertilizer for the plants.

Before machines, a large mortar and pestle (okhli and moosli) was used. The bajra cobs were crushed in the stone mortar to separate the grains from the cob.

Traditional festival meals, where the whole village ate together, symbolized community spirit and harmony. It was a time of shared joy, celebrating their harvest and traditions.

In modern farming, expensive chemical fertilizers bought from the market have largely replaced the traditional use of cow dung and other natural manures for enriching the soil.

Many farmers get trapped in debt because they take large bank loans for expensive seeds and fertilizers. When crops fail, they cannot repay the loan and must borrow more.

The seed’s story teaches that modern “progress” can be destructive. It highlights the value of traditional farming methods that sustained biodiversity, soil health, and community life.

While a canal brings water, it can also lead to over-pumping of groundwater for water-intensive cash crops. This can cause the water level in local wells to drop.

In the past, harvests were celebrated by the entire community together. Families would cook special food and share a grand feast, marking a time of collective joy and gratitude.

In modern farming, tractors have replaced bullocks for ploughing. A tractor can plough a large field much faster than a pair of bullocks can.

A sustainable method is vermicomposting. This involves putting kitchen waste, leaves, and earthworms in a pit to create nutrient-rich, natural compost for plants.

Traditional crops become less common because farmers shift to profitable cash crops. Also, changing food habits and the dominance of company-sold hybrid seeds reduce their demand.

The chapter makes us question what “progress” really means. It asks whether true progress is just about making more money or if it should also consider community and environmental health.