NCERT Class 8 Science Textbook for Blind Students made Screen Readable by Dr T K Bansal.

1. Sow some seeds in the soil and arrange to water them by drip irrigation. Observe daily.
(i) Do you think it can save water?
(ii) Note the changes in the seed.

2. Collect different types of seeds and put them in small bags. Label them.

3. Collect pictures of some other agricultural machines and paste them in a file. Write their names and uses.

4. Project Work
Visit a farm, nursery or a garden nearby. Gather information about
(i) importance of seed selection.
(ii) method of irrigation.
(iii) effect of extreme cold and extreme hot weather on the plants.
(iv) effect of continuous rain on the plants.
(v) fertilisers/manure used.

An Example for Field Trip Work

Himanshu and his friends were very anxious and curious to go to Thikri village. They went to Shri Jiwan Patel’s farmhouse. They had taken bags to collect some seeds and other things.

Himanshu : Sir namaskar, I am Himanshu. Here are my friends Mohan, David and Sabiha. We want some information about crops. Please guide us.

Shri Patel : Namaskar and welcome all of you. What are your queries?

Sabiha : When did you start this work and what are the main crops that you grow?

Shri Patel : About 75 years ago, my grandfather started this work. The main crops that we grow are wheat, gram, soyabean and moong.

David : Sir, can you tell us the difference between traditional and modern agricultural practices?

Shri Patel : Earlier we used traditional tools like sickle, bullock plough, trowel, etc., and depended on rain water for irrigation. But now we use modern methods of irrigation. We use implements like tractors, cultivators, seed drill and harvester. We get good quality seeds. We carry out soil testing and use manure and fertilisers. New information about agriculture is obtained through radio, TeleVision and other sources. As a result we are able to get good crops on a large scale. This year we got 9 to 11 quintals of gram crop per acre and 20 to 25 quintals of wheat per acre. In my opinion awareness of new technology is important for better crop yield.

Mohan : Sabiha, come here and see some earthworms. Are they helpful to the farmers?

Sabiha : Oh Mohan! we learnt about it in Class 6.

Shri Patel : Earthworms turn the soil and loosen it for proper aeration, so they help the farmer.

David : Can we have some seeds of the crops you grow here?

[They put some seeds, fertilisers and soil sample in the bags.]

Himanshu : Sir, we are thankful to you for making this visit pleasant and for providing useful information.

End of Chapter 1.