NCERT Class 7 Social Science Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-II: Chapter 1 — The Story of Indian Farming
This chapter, 'The Story of Indian Farming,' from NCERT's Class 7 Social Science book 'Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-II,' delves into the fundamental occupation of agriculture. It explains that agriculture is an ancient practice encompassing soil preparation, plant cultivation, livestock rearing, and even forestry and horticulture. The chapter highlights the etymology of 'agriculture' from Latin roots, meaning 'to cultivate a field.' It underscores the significant economic contribution of agriculture and allied activities to India's GDP and the substantial portion of the working population it employs. The text also emphasizes the crucial role of women in Indian agriculture, performing most farming operations. The chapter concludes by posing key questions about the characteristics of Indian agriculture, its relationship with climate and soil, and the integration of traditional and modern farming methods, aiming to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of this vital sector.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 7 |
| Subject | Social Science |
| Book | Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-II |
| Chapter | Chapter 1 — The Story of Indian Farming |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 480 |
Learning outcomes
- Define agriculture and its allied activities.
- Understand the historical significance and economic importance of farming in India.
- Recognize the interrelationship between farming, climate, soil, and water.
- Appreciate the role of women in Indian agriculture.
- Differentiate between traditional and contemporary farming practices.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | The science or practice of farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products. |
| Livestock | Domestic animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce labor and commodities such as meat, eggs, milk, fur, leather, and wool. |
| Pisciculture | The practice of farming fish. |
| Apiculture | The maintenance of bee colonies, commonly in man-made hives, by humans. |
| Horticulture | The art or practice of garden cultivation and management. |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | The total monetary or market value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period. |
| Threshing | The process of loosening the edible grain from the straw or husk of a cereal crop. |
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Practice questions
- What is agriculture? Answer: Agriculture is the preparation of soil, cultivation of plants, rearing of livestock, and growing of trees as part of a comprehensive farming system.
- What does the term 'agriculture' mean in Latin? Answer: In Latin, 'agri' means field and 'culture' means to cultivate.
- What percentage of India's working population is engaged in agriculture and allied activities? Answer: Approximately 46% of India's working population is engaged in agriculture and allied activities (2022-2023).
- Who performs most farming operations in rural India? Answer: More than 75% of people working in the agriculture sector in rural India are women.
- What is threshing? Answer: Threshing is the process of removing the edible grain from the straw or husk, manually or using a machine.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of the word 'agriculture'?
The word 'agriculture' comes from Latin, where 'agri' means field and 'culture' means to cultivate.
How important is agriculture to India's economy?
Agriculture and allied activities contribute over 18% to India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provide livelihood to about 46% of the working population.
What are some allied activities to agriculture?
Allied activities include livestock-related activities, beekeeping (apiculture), fisheries, rearing of silkworms, and fibre production.
What is the significance of women in Indian agriculture?
Women constitute over 75% of the workforce in the agriculture sector in rural India and perform most farming operations.
What does 'threshing' mean in farming?
Threshing is the process of separating the edible grain from the straw or husk, which can be done manually or with a machine.
What are the main questions posed by the chapter regarding Indian farming?
The chapter asks about the main characteristics of Indian agriculture, how farming, climate, soil, and water are interrelated, and how traditional and contemporary practices can complement each other.
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NCERT Class 7 Social Science — Exploring Society India and Beyond Part-II — Chapter 1 — The Story of Indian Farming. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.