CBSE Class 5 EVS NCERT Solutions: A Seed Tells A Farmer's Story

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 5 PDF

This chapter, "A Seed Tells A Farmer's Story," for CBSE Class 5 Environmental Studies, delves into the life cycle of a seed and its connection to farming. Students will explore different types of grains used for making rotis, understand traditional and modern farming practices, and learn about methods used to protect stored grains from insects. The chapter also touches upon various farming-related festivals celebrated across India, highlighting cultural diversity and agricultural connections. It prompts critical thinking about the concept of 'progress' in the context of farming and its impact on the environment and community. These NCERT Solutions provide clear explanations and answers to help students grasp these concepts, encouraging them to think about sustainable agriculture and rural development. They are an excellent resource for exam preparation, offering insights into the agricultural practices and their significance.

Home

Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 5
Subject	Environmental Studies
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	19 A Seed Tells A Farmers Story

Chapter summary

Chapter 19, "A Seed Tells A Farmer's Story," focuses on the journey of a seed and its role in agriculture. The NCERT Solutions cover topics such as identifying different grains, methods of grain storage, farming festivals like Lohri, and comparing traditional versus modern farming techniques. It also encourages discussion on the meaning of 'progress' in farming and its potential long-term effects on the environment and livelihoods. These solutions aim to build a foundational understanding of agriculture and its cultural importance.

Learning outcomes

Identify various grains and their uses in food preparation.
Understand traditional and modern methods of farming.
Recognize the importance of protecting stored grains.
Learn about farming-related festivals and their significance.
Analyze the concept of 'progress' in the context of agriculture.
Discuss the environmental impact of different farming practices.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Grains and Rotis
Grain Storage
Farming Methods (Traditional vs. Modern)
Farming Festivals
Concept of Progress
Impact of Farming on Environment
Crop Identification
Agricultural Practices

Important topics

Comparison of Farming Methods
Understanding 'Progress' in Agriculture
Farming Festivals and Culture
Environmental Impact of Farming
Grain Identification and Storage

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …

Page of

Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

Tell

1. Are rotis made in your home? From which grains are they made?

Solution: Yes, rotis are commonly made in many homes. The grains used for making rotis depend on regional preferences and availability, but wheat is the most common. Other grains like maize (makki), jowar, and bajra are also used to make different types of flatbreads that are similar to rotis.

1. Have you eaten roti made from bajra and jowar? Did you like these?

Solution: Yes, rotis made from bajra and jowar are quite popular in certain regions of India. Many people find them delicious and nutritious, often enjoying them with specific accompaniments like curd or pickles. Their taste can be distinct from wheat rotis.

Find Out and Write

1. In your house what is done to protect grains and pulses from insects?

Solution: To protect grains and pulses from insects at home, several methods are employed. Common practices include storing them in clean, dry, and air-tight containers made of metal, plastic, or glass. Sometimes, grains are spread out in the sun to dry thoroughly before storage, as moisture can encourage insect growth. Natural repellents like neem leaves are also occasionally used. Regular cleaning of storage areas is also important.

2. Which are the different festivals related to farming celebrated in different seasons? Find out more about any one such festival and write in your notebook- The name of the festival, in which season is it celebrated, in which states of India, what special foods are made, is it celebrated only at home with the family, or together with many people?

Solution: Many festivals in India are closely linked to farming and the agricultural cycle, celebrated across different seasons. Examples include Lohri, Holi, Baisakhi, Pongal, and Makar Sankranti. Example: Lohri

Name of Festival: Lohri
Season: Celebrated in the winter season, typically around January 13th.
States in India: Primarily celebrated in Punjab, but also observed in other parts of North India. Similar festivals are celebrated in other states under different names (e.g., Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Yella Bella in Karnataka).
Special Foods: Traditional foods include 'gajak' (made from sesame seeds and jaggery), 'revari' (sesame seed brittle), popcorn, and sometimes special rice dishes. Sesame seeds and jaggery are common ingredients in many regional variations.
Celebration Style: Lohri is a community festival. People gather around bonfires, sing songs, dance, and share festive food. It is celebrated both at home with family and with larger community gatherings. Kite flying is also a part of celebrations in some regions like Gujarat on similar festival days.

3. Talk to the elders in your family and find out about some special foods cooked earlier that are not cooked any more.

Solution: Elders in the family often recall traditional recipes that were common in their childhood but are less frequently made today. For instance, some might remember homemade sweets like laddoos made from sesame seeds or beaten rice, which were prepared during specific seasons or festivals. Nowadays, many people prefer to buy ready-made sweets or snacks like 'gajak' from the market, leading to a decline in the preparation of these traditional dishes at home.

4. Find out about the crops—cereals, vegetables, pulses—that are grown in your area. Of those, is there anything that is famous across the country?

Solution: The crops grown in an area vary greatly depending on the region's climate and soil. Common crops include cereals like wheat, rice, maize, and jowar; vegetables such as potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and leafy greens; and pulses like lentils (dal) and chickpeas. Some of these crops, or specific varieties of them, gain national fame. For example, certain regions are renowned for their high-quality litchis, mangoes, spices, or specific types of rice, making them famous across the country.

5. Can you recognise these grains?

Solution: This question requires visual identification of grains. The provided images show:

Maize (corn)
Mustard seeds
Wheat grains
Bajra (pearl millet)

Recognizing these grains is important for understanding different food sources and agricultural products.

Discuss

1. The bajra seed saw differences in the way Damjibhai and Hasmukh did farming (for example, in irrigation, ploughing, etc.). What were these differences?

Solution: Damjibhai and Hasmukh practiced farming differently, showcasing a shift from traditional to modern methods. Damjibhai's Farming (Traditional):

Ploughing: Used bullocks for ploughing the fields.
Seeds: Stored grains from previous harvests to be used as seeds for the next planting season.
Irrigation: Likely relied on traditional, possibly less intensive, irrigation methods.
Crop Choice: Grew crops based on traditional knowledge and needs.

Hasmukh's Farming (Modern):

Ploughing: Invested in a tractor for faster and more efficient ploughing.
Seeds: Purchased seeds from the market, as he didn't need to store them.
Irrigation: Likely adopted more advanced irrigation techniques.
Crop Choice: Focused on crops that yielded good prices in the market, potentially shifting away from traditional crops.
Inputs: Used expensive fertilizers to enhance yield.
Other Investments: Bought a motorcycle, indicating a desire for modern conveniences and possibly faster transport for farm-related activities.

2. Hasmukh said, "With profits from our fields, we can progress". What is your understanding of 'progress'?

Solution: The concept of 'progress' generally refers to positive development and improvement in various aspects of life. In the context of farming and Hasmukh's statement, progress can be understood as:

Economic Improvement: Earning higher profits from farming allows for a better financial situation.
Better Lifestyle: Increased income can lead to improved living standards, such as better housing, access to nutritious food, and modern amenities like televisions, refrigerators, and radios.
Education: More resources can be allocated to children's education, providing them with better schooling opportunities.
Modernization: Adoption of new technologies and tools, like tractors and motorcycles, signifies progress towards efficiency and convenience.
Personal Comfort: Owning vehicles for personal transport enhances mobility and comfort.

Essentially, progress implies moving forward towards a more comfortable, prosperous, and advanced way of living.

Write

1. What kind of progress would you like to see in your area?

Solution: The kind of progress desired for an area often focuses on improving the quality of life for its residents. Some key aspects of progress that would be beneficial include:

Improved Infrastructure: Development of better roads for easier transportation and connectivity.
Sanitation and Cleanliness: Ensuring the area is clean, with proper waste management and well-maintained drainage systems to prevent issues like overflowing drains.
Public Services: Establishing a good public transport system to make commuting accessible and efficient for everyone.
Recreational Facilities: Creating spaces like parks and playgrounds where children can play safely and adults can relax and engage in recreational activities.
Access to Resources: Ensuring availability of essential services like clean water, electricity, and healthcare facilities.

Overall, progress means making the area a better and more pleasant place to live for all its inhabitants.

Discuss and Think

1. What can happen to Hasmukh's farm after some years?

Solution: If Hasmukh continues with his current farming practices, several things could happen to his farm over the years:

Loss of Soil Fertility: The continuous use of expensive chemical fertilizers, while providing short-term gains, can deplete the soil's natural nutrients and organic matter. This can lead to a significant loss of fertility, making the land less productive over time.
Environmental Degradation: Excessive irrigation can deplete groundwater resources. The overuse of chemicals can also harm the soil ecosystem and potentially pollute nearby water sources.
Financial Strain: Hasmukh has taken loans to purchase modern equipment like tractors and expensive seeds and fertilizers. If the farm's productivity declines due to soil degradation, he might struggle to repay these loans, potentially falling into a debt trap.
Dependence on Inputs: The farm might become heavily reliant on external inputs like chemical fertilizers and purchased seeds, making it vulnerable to price fluctuations and availability issues.
Reduced Sustainability: The overall sustainability of the farm could be compromised, making it difficult for Hasmukh to continue farming effectively in the long run.

2. Damjibhai's son Hasmukh chose to become a farmer like his father, Hasmukh's son Paresh is not a farmer, but a truck driver. Why would he have done so?

Solution: Paresh's decision to become a truck driver instead of a farmer, unlike his father and grandfather, likely stems from his observations of the challenges and potential drawbacks of modern farming. He might have seen that:

Financial Instability: Farming, especially with the high costs of modern inputs and equipment, can be financially risky. Hasmukh's potential struggles with profits and debt might have been apparent to Paresh.
Capital Intensive Nature: Farming has become increasingly expensive, requiring significant investment in machinery, seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. This high capital requirement might seem daunting.
Limited Profitability: Despite advancements, farming might not always guarantee substantial profits, especially when compared to other professions.
Desire for a Different Career: Paresh might have been interested in other professions that offered perceived stability, better income potential, or different lifestyle choices. Truck driving, while demanding, offers a steady occupation.
Observation of Father's Stress: He may have observed the stress and hard work involved in farming without commensurate rewards, leading him to seek an alternative career path.

Therefore, Paresh likely chose truck driving as a more stable or potentially more lucrative career option, moving away from the uncertainties he perceived in farming.

3. The seeds were not sure that what Hasmukh was talking about was really progress? What do you feel?

Solution: The seeds' uncertainty about Hasmukh's definition of progress is valid and raises important points about sustainable development. While Hasmukh focuses on economic gains and modernization, true progress should consider long-term well-being and environmental health. Arguments against Hasmukh's definition of progress:

Environmental Impact: Modern agricultural methods, like the heavy use of chemical fertilizers and intensive irrigation, can degrade the soil, deplete water resources, and harm biodiversity. This is not sustainable in the long run.
Resource Depletion: Over-reliance on machines and chemicals consumes non-renewable resources and can lead to pollution.
Social Impact: Mechanization can reduce the need for manual labor, potentially leading to unemployment for farm workers.
Farmer's Debt: The high cost of modern inputs can push farmers into debt, creating financial insecurity rather than true prosperity.

What constitutes real progress? Real progress in farming should ideally balance economic benefits with environmental sustainability and social equity. This includes practices that maintain soil health, conserve water, support biodiversity, ensure fair income for farmers, and benefit the community without causing long-term harm. The seeds' perspective highlights that apparent advancements might not always equate to genuine, lasting improvement.

Common mistakes

Confusing different types of grains.
Not understanding the long-term environmental consequences of modern farming.
Limited awareness of farming-related festivals.
Difficulty in defining 'progress' beyond immediate financial gains.

Revision tips

Review the different types of grains mentioned and their uses.
Compare and contrast traditional and modern farming methods discussed.
Think critically about the definition of 'progress' and its implications.
Discuss the farming festivals and their cultural significance with family or friends.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which of these grains is commonly used to make roti?

Q2. What is a common method to protect grains from insects at home?

Q3. Lohri is a farming-related festival celebrated in which season?

Q4. Hasmukh started using which new farming tool instead of bullocks for ploughing?

Q5. What is a potential negative consequence of using chemical fertilizers extensively?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of Chapter 19, 'A Seed Tells A Farmer's Story'?

The chapter explores the journey of a seed, different farming practices, the cultural significance of farming festivals, and the concept of progress in agriculture.

What are some traditional methods of farming mentioned in the solutions?

Traditional methods include using bullocks for ploughing and storing grains for future use as seeds.

How does the chapter explain 'progress' in farming?

Progress is explained as a better lifestyle with improved housing, nutrition, education, and modern amenities, often associated with new farming technologies and increased profits.

What are the potential downsides of Hasmukh's modern farming approach?

The solutions highlight that modern farming can lead to soil infertility due to chemical fertilizers, depletion of groundwater, and potential debt traps for farmers.

Which farming-related festivals are mentioned in the solutions?

Festivals like Lohri, Holi, Baisakhi, Pongal (Tamil Nadu), and Yella Bella (Karnataka) are mentioned.

How can these NCERT Solutions help students prepare for exams?

The solutions provide clear, detailed answers to textbook questions, helping students understand key concepts, compare different farming methods, and critically analyze the idea of progress in agriculture.

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.