CBSE Class 4 EVS – Looking around – Takshila-DPS Pune- Patna-Coimbatore

AUTHOR

Dr. Gauri Kshirsagar

MBBS, DNB (DVL)

Dermatologist, Cosmetologist and Laser Surgeon

Nuleaf Skin Clinic and Hair Transplant Center, Undri, Pune

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The following notes are from the academic year 2022-23 of DPS Pune- Patna-Coimbatore, compiled by my twin daughters. These notes include all the important material of the chapter which can be asked in the exam, compiled from the EVS textbook, study course material books and the notes from class.

Readers, if you find these notes helpful please do write your views in the ‘comment section’ of this article and if you like me to upload any notes on any topic taught in class 4, please be free to post your replies. Subscribe to my blog for new updates, notes and posts. Have a great year and all the best.

Chapter 14: BASVA’S FARM

Important Points which can be asked as ‘Fill in the Blanks’ or ‘MCQs’:

1. Basva lives in Belvanika, a village in Karnataka.
2. In July, Basva’s family grows onion crop.
3. The implement (tool) used by Appa to dig the soil, loosen it and make it soft is called Khunti (An iron rod).
4. In Basva’s field, during sowing of seeds bullocks will pull the Kurige and Appa will walk behind them, sprinkling the seeds.
5. The onion sprouts appeared twenty days after the seeds were sown.
6. Along with onion plants, weeds have also come up.
7. Amma, uncle and Basva, all help Appa to take out the weeds.
8. Basva is happy to see the plants growing. They are tall enough to reach his knees.
9. Appa, Amma, Kaka and Choti Maa will do the harvesting together.
10. Amma and aunty use the illige to cut the dried leaves from the top of the onions.
11. The Illige is sharp and you have to be careful not to cut your fingers.
12. Appa and uncle fill the sacks with onions.  
13. Appa will take them in a truck to sell in the big market.
14. On maturity the crop is cut and gathered, this is called Harvesting.
15. The artificial supply of water to agricultural land is called Irrigation.
16. Harvested crops are packed in bags or bins and are stored in godown.
17. Loosening and turning the soil is called ploughing.
18. Manure does not harm the crop as it is made from remains of dead plants and animals.
19. Weeds are the unwanted plants.
20. Plants of same type grown on large scale are called crops.
21. A farming tool which helps in even distribution of seeds during   sowing is called seed drill.
22. Weeding can be done by using agriculture implements like sickle or trowel.
23. The substances which are added to the soil in the form of nutrients for the healthy growth of plants are called manure and fertilizer.
24. When onion plants get matured and are ready to be taken out, the leaves of the plant turn yellow and dry out.
25. Water for irrigation comes from sources like wells, rivers, reservoirs lakes etc.
26. The seed drill can be attached to either bullocks or tractors.
27. Weeds in the field can be removed by hands and chemicals.
28. The crop sown by Basva’s father was onion.
29. If onions are not taken out at the right time they will rot in the ground.
30. Harvested food grains are dried in the sun to remove moisture and dampness.
31. Tools used in farming àIlige, Khunti, Kurige, sickle, trowel
32. Modern tools used in farming à seed drill, tractor driven cultivators, harvesters.
33. Natural fertilizers à Manure, compost, Rock phosphate, chicken litter.
34. Two sources of irrigationà wells, rivers, reservoirs, lakes.

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Journey of food:

The food that we eat comes from various sources and often travels long distances before it reaches our homes.

Our food consists of:

1. Pulses: Dal, chickpeas, kidney beans,
2. Cereals: wheat, rice, rye, oats, barley, corn (maize)
3. Oilseeds: groundnut, soybean, sunflower, sesame, safflower.
4. Fruits:
5. Vegetables:
6. Milk
7. Meat: Chicken, mutton, turkey
8. Spices: pepper, chili powder, oregano, rosemary, fennel, bay leaves seed.

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VARIOUS PROCESSES INVOLVED IN AGRICULTURE/FARMING

1. Preparation of the soil: Ploughing loosens the soil.
2. Addition of manure: Addition of manure and chemical fertilizers makes the soil rich in nutrients.
3. Sowing of seeds: Sowing good quality seeds is essential for growing good crops
4. Proper irrigation: Crops have to be watered at regular intervals for proper growth.
5. Weeding: The process of removing weeds is called weeding.
6. Crop protection: Insecticides and pesticides are sprayed to protect crops from insects like locusts and pests like rats.
7. Harvesting: Once the crop is ripe; it is cut down or harvested.
8. Storage: The harvested crop is then stored properly to keep it safe from moisture, insects and pests.

1. PREPARATION OF THE SOIL

1. Definition: Preparation of soil means loosening and turning the soil. It is also known as ploughing or tiling.
2. How is it done:
   • Ploughing was done by a wooden or iron plough which was pulled by an oxen or a bullock. (Olden Method)
   • Ploughing is done by tractor driven cultivators. (Modern Method)
3. Advantages of ploughing:
   • Loose soil has a lot of air trapped in it, so the roots can breathe easily.
   • Loose soil allows the roots to grow deep, so the plants get firmly fixed in the soil.
   • The soil mixes well with fertilizers.

2. MANURE AND FERTILIZERS

Why are manure and fertilizers important in farming?

Ans)

1. Since farmers grow crops every year, the soil loses its nutrients over a period of time.
2. The substances which are added to the soil in the form of nutrients for healthy growth of plants are called manure and fertilizers.
3. They help to improve the soil fertility and increase the crop yield (produce).

Difference between Fertilizers and Manure:

	Fertilizers		Manure
1	They contain chemicals	1	It is obtained from remains of dead plants and animals. (Organic)
2	If overused, it harms the soil and destroys the natural fertility of the soil. It makes the soil barren and infertile	2	It does not harm the crop.

3. SOWING OF SEEDS

Correct method of sowing seeds:

1. The seeds selected must be healthy, of good quality and free from diseases.
2. They should not be sown very deep as they would not develop into plants.
3. They should not be sown on the surface as they would be eaten by birds.
4. The seeds must be sown at a right distance from each other so that they get proper air, warmth, sunlight, water and nutrients for their growth.

How are seeds sown?

1. Manually:
   1. The seeds are sprinkled into the soil. (Olden way)
   1. In manual distribution, the seeds get unevenly distributed during sowing.
2. Seed drills
   1. Seed drill can be attached to either bullocks or tractors. (Modern way)
   1. Seed drills help in even distribution of seeds during sowing.

4. IRRIGATION

1. Definition: Crops need water to grow. When there is no rain or less rain, the artificial way of supplying water to crops at different interval is called Irrigation.
2. Requirement of water varies according to the type of crop and the stage of growth of the crop. Different crops require different quantity of water.

(Example: crops like maize or sugarcane need more water than crops like peas and onion. The growth stage of the crop; fully-grown crops need more water than crops that have just been planted.)

3. Sources of irrigation: wells, rivers, reservoirs, lakes etc.

4. Types: Tube well, sprinkler.

• Importance: Irrigation is important in farming because plants require constant supply of water and farmers cannot depend on rainfall for water.

5. WEEDING

Definition: The process of removing weeds is called weeding.

Importance of weeding:

1. Weeds are unwanted plants that grow in the field by themselves, without being planted.
2. They take away water, fertilizers and necessary nutrients which are actually meant for plants.
3. If there are too many weeds, then the crops will not be healthy.

How is weeding done:

1. Manually: Weeding can be done manually by pulling them or using agricultural implements like sickle or trowel to remove them (olden way)
2. Chemicals called weedicides are sprayed on them. (Modern Way)

6. PROTECTION FROM PESTS AND DISEASES

1. Pests: Pests are organisms that attack the crop and damage them.
2. There may be caterpillars, grasshoppers, rats etc. in the field.
3. The plants are damaged by diseases caused by microbes like fungi, bacteria etc.
4. Hence pesticides or insecticides are sprayed.
5. Disadvantage: Excessive use of these chemicals can cause damage to humans and environment.

7. HARVESTING

1. Definition: The process of cutting and gathering mature crops from the fields is called harvesting.
2. How is harvesting done?
   • Manually: It is done by hand using a sickle (olden way)
   • Machines: It is done by machines called harvesters (modern way)Why it needs to be done at the correct time?
3. It has to be done at the correct time or the crops will rot away. For example in the case of the onion crop – the leaves start turning yellow and dry up. This is a signal for the farmer that the onions are ready to be taken out.

8. STORAGE

1. Harvested food grains are dried in the sun to remove moisture and dampness. This prevents the growth of fungus and germs.
2. Then they are packed in the bags or bins and stored in godowns.

Question and Answers:

Q.1) Define

A) CROP: Plants of same type grown on a large scale are called a crop.

B) MANURE AND FERTILIZERS: The substances which are added to the soil in the form of nutrients for healthy growth of plants are called manure and fertilizers.

C) IRRIGATION: Crops need water to grow. When there is no rain or less rain, the artificial way of supplying water to crops at different interval is called Irrigation.

D) WEEDING: The process of removal of weeds is called weeding

E) HARVESTING: The process of cutting and gathering mature crops from the fields is called harvesting.

Q.2) How are seeds sown?

Ans) Seeds are sown in the following ways:

1. Manually:
   1. The seeds are sprinkled into the soil. (Olden way)
   1. In manual distribution, the seeds get unevenly distributed during sowing.
2. Seed drills
   1. Seed drill can be attached to either bullocks or tractors (Modern way)
   1. Seed drills help in even distribution of seeds during sowing.

Q.3) Why is irrigation so important in farming?

Ans) Irrigation is so important in farming because plants require constant supply of water and farmers cannot depend on rainfall for water.

Q.4) Raju is a farmer. He always makes it a point to remove the weeds that grow in his field along with the crops. Why?

Ans) Weeds are unwanted plants that grow in the field by themselves, without being planted. They take away water, fertilizers and necessary nutrients which are actually meant for plants. If there are too many weeds, then the crops will not be healthy. Therefore, removal of weeds is necessary for the proper growth of a plant.

Q.5) Why are pesticides or insecticides sprayed on crops?

Ans) Pests are organisms that attack the crop and damage them. There may be caterpillars, grasshoppers, rats etc. in the field. The plants are damaged by diseases caused by microbes like fungi, bacteria etc.

Hence pesticides or insecticides are sprayed to protect crops.

Q.6) Differentiate between the old/ancient and modern implements used in fields.

Ans)

	Old/ancient implements		Modern implements
1	Ploughing was done by a plough which was made of wood and driven by oxen.	1	Ploughing is done by tractor driven cultivators.
2	Seeds were sown manually by hand or with a tool shape like a funnel attached to the plough.	2	Seed drills are used now-a-days.
3	Harvesting was done with a sickle.	3	Harvesting is done by machine called harvester.

Q. 7) GIVE REASONS.

A) Harvested food grains are dried in the sun. Why?

Ans) Harvested food grains are dried in the sun to

1. Remove moisture and dampness. 
2. Drying of grains prevents the growth of fungus and germs.

B) Seed drills are important for sprinkling of seeds.  Why?

Ans) Seed drills are important for sprinkling of seeds because:

1. The seeds can be sown at the appropriate distance and depth.
2.  Evenly distributed seeds will get proper air, water, warm, sunlight and nutrients to grow.
3. Wastage of seeds can be avoided.

C) Sickle is very important for a farmer.  Why?

Ans) The Sickle is very important for a farmer as:

1. It is used in mixing manure into the soil.
2. It is used for breaking the soil so that air and water can pass easily.
3. It is also used for the removal of weeds and to harvest the crop.

Q.8) Basva would like to sprinkle onion seeds, just the way his father does, but his Appa doesn’t allow him. Why?

Ans) Basva’s Appa doesn’t allow him to sprinkle seeds because:

1. Appa says that it is necessary to drop the right amount of seeds at a regular distance. This is not an easy task to do.
2. Appa feels that since is too young to understand, he may drop too many seeds at one place.
3. Basva must wait till he is a little older to be able to do this properly.

Q.9) Why is Basva not able to attend school for some days?

Ans) Basva’s family grows onion crops in the month of July. Since Basva has to help his Appa in farming, he is not able to attend school for some days.

Q.10) Are there any fields near your house? What grows there?

Ans) Yes, there are many fields near my house. Different types of crops are grown in these fields like sugarcane, tomatoes, chillies, cabbage etc.

Q.11) Basva’s Appa takes the onions to the market in a truck. Think, how would the fruits and vegetable be taken to another place if there were no proper roads?

Ans) It is very difficult to carry fruits and vegetables, if there were no proper roads. In olden days people carried fruits vegetables and crops to the market using bullock carts, boats, donkeys etc.

Q.12) What kind of vehicles are used to carry fruits and vegetables? Draw them in your notebook.

Ans) Thela, rickshaw, tempo, trucks, bullock cart, tractor etc are used to carry fruits and vegetables.

Diagrams:

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