CBSE Class 7 Social Science: A Shirt in the Market - NCERT Solutions

Swapna, a small farmer, decided to sell her cotton to the trader rather than taking it to the Kurnool cotton market primarily because she was indebted to the trader. She had taken a loan from him to finance her cultivation, and the terms of the loan likely stipulated that she must sell her cotton to him. This situation is common for small farmers who often need to borrow money for seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs. The loan usually comes with a high interest rate, and the farmer is obligated to repay not just the principal amount but also the accumulated interest. Therefore, Swapna had to sell her cotton to the trader to settle her debt, even if the price offered at the local market might have been better.

Workers in garment exporting factories typically face challenging employment conditions and receive low wages. Their employment is often precarious, meaning they can be dismissed easily if the employer feels their services are no longer required, leading to significant job insecurity. They are usually required to work for long hours to meet production targets. The wages paid are often minimal, barely sufficient to cover basic living expenses. Considering these factors – long hours, low pay, and lack of job security – it is evident that the workers do not get a fair deal. They lack basic worker protections and are in a weak bargaining position compared to the factory owners and the international buyers who demand low prices.

Let's consider Tea as a common item we use.

The journey of tea from its origin to your cup involves several market stages and people:

1. Tea Gardens (Producers): Tea is initially grown on large plantations or farms. Workers on these tea gardens pluck the tea leaves.
2. Processing Factories: The plucked leaves are sent to factories for processing (drying, rolling, fermenting, firing) to become the tea we recognize.
3. Traders/Wholesalers: These processed tea leaves are then bought by traders or wholesalers, often in large quantities. They might sort, blend, and package the tea.
4. Packers/Brand Companies: The tea is then packaged by brand companies, which may also blend different types of tea to create a specific flavor profile.
5. Retailers (Shops/Supermarkets): These packaged teas are sold to retailers, such as local grocery stores or supermarkets.
6. Consumers (You): Finally, you purchase the tea from the retailer and prepare it at home.

Throughout this chain, many people are involved: farmers and workers on tea gardens, factory workers who process the tea, traders who buy and sell in bulk, packaging staff, transportation workers, and retail shopkeepers. Each plays a role in bringing the tea from the producer to the consumer.

The correct order of the statements, representing the journey of cotton to a shirt, is as follows:

1. 1. Swapna sells the cotton to the trader. (This is the starting point where the farmer sells the raw cotton.)
2. 3. Trader sells cotton to the Ginning Mill. (The trader acts as an intermediary, selling the cotton to a mill for processing.)
3. 9. Ginning mill cleans the cotton and makes it into bales. (The ginning mill separates cotton fibers from seeds and compresses them into bales.)
4. 7. Spinning mill buys the cotton and sells yarn to the yarn dealers. (The spinning mill processes the cotton bales into yarn.)
5. 5. Yarn dealers or merchants give the yarn to the weavers. (Yarn dealers supply the yarn to weavers.)
6. 8. Weavers return with the cloth. (Weavers use the yarn to weave fabric/cloth.)
7. 4. Garment exporters buy the cloth from merchants for making shirts. (Exporters purchase the woven cloth to manufacture garments like shirts.)
8. 6. The exporter sells shirts to the business person from the U.S.A. (The exporter sells the finished shirts to international buyers.)
9. 2. Customers buy those shirts in a super market. (The shirts eventually reach consumers through retail outlets like supermarkets.)