Essays

The lot of the Indian farmer is hard indeed. He has to toil in his fields the whole day, and yet he is able to manage only the bare necessities of life. He lives a life of poverty, by and large in unhygienic surroundings. The house he lives in is a hut or a house with a thatched roof—which may leak in the rainy season. The village may be without a drain—water stands still and there may be mosquitoes. There may or may not be water and electricity. The members of his family and cattle live under the same roof. Usually, the living standard is low.

The day of the farmer, unlike city-dwellers, begins with the crowing of the cock. The first thing he does is to feed his cattle, to milch his cows and buffaloes and take a glass of tea which his wife prepares for him over firewood. Then he yokes his oxen to a plough and goes to the fields. The ploughing starts before sunrise to save time. He may merrily sing. The sun rises as is the heat— the farmer is used to working in the sun, hail or storm.

That keeps him busy throughout the morning hours. He may perspire but he does not bother. He is engaged in growing food grain, vegetables and fruit or maybe some other cash crops.

At noon his wife brings him food. With his roti and dal may be buttermilk.

Then he may rest under a shady tree. At times he is noticed snoring. After a while he sets to work again. If he is not busy ploughing, he has so many other things to do. At times, he is leveling the fields or adding manure. At other times, he may be sowing seeds, or watering the fields. This he does by cutting off a part of the main channel and letting water flow into his fields. He also depends on the monsoons.

During the harvesting season he bends over the sickle, cutting and tying bundles of corn. At this time his wife too, may be lending a helping hand.

In the evening he turns homewards. The sweat on his body dries up. He is tired of the day's hard work. He therefore lies down for rest. He may smoke his hookah and relax. Village women ar beautiful, simple, honest, dutiful and very hardworking—which keeps them in good health and cheer.

Late in the evening, he may go to the chaupal to meet fellow farmer.

During the harvesting season he is busier than ever. He is happy with his lot. He has worked hard and the crop is good. He is in the fields most of the time. He keeps a watch at night—scare crows are also put up.

The crop is his valuable treasure and he must keep it safe from damage. During the day he spends most of his time in threshing and winnowing. The grain is collected and stored. He keeps food grain for the family— the rest is put in jute sacks and piled in the bullock cart for marketing. Government agencies are there to give him fair price. Such is the hard life of Indian farmers.

Do You Know?

— More than 65 per cent of our total population is engaged in agricultural and allied sectors, making agriculture the main occupation in the country.

— India grows most fruits and vegetables in the world.

— India has recently achieved self-reliance in the production of food grains largely due. To the effects of Green Revolution.