What are the reasons that make Swapna's situation so risky? Discuss factors – pesticides; role of moneylenders; climate.
Swapna's situation is risky because farming is dependent on uncertain factors, and she lacks financial security. Firstly, her crop failed after being hit by pests. She spent resources on expensive pesticides, but they made little difference, resulting in a loss of production and income.
Secondly, the role of moneylenders creates a debt-trap. Swapna took a loan for cultivation, but when she could not repay it due to crop failure, the debt grew into a large amount. Even a normal crop the next year did not provide enough earnings to cover the old loan. She was forced to sell a part of her land to repay the debt. Since loan repayment is crucially dependent on income from farming, the lack of support in case of loss makes her situation highly risky.
Explanation
The answer is derived strictly from the provided context under 'Swapna's Problem' and 'Terms of Credit'. The context explicitly mentions that Swapna's crop was hit by pests and pesticides failed to save it, leading to crop failure. It details how the inability to repay the moneylender led to a debt-trap, forcing her to sell her land. The context does not explicitly mention 'climate' as a factor, so the answer focuses on the factors present in the text: pests/pesticides and the moneylender's role. The explanation highlights the concept of 'debt-trap' and the risk involved in agricultural credit where repayment depends entirely on the harvest.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify the agricultural risk from the text: The crop was hit by pests and expensive pesticides failed, leading to crop failure.
Step 2: Identify the financial risk from the text: Swapna borrowed from a moneylender, couldn't repay due to crop failure, and fell into a debt-trap.
Step 3: Combine these points to explain why her situation is risky (dependence on farming income and lack of support).