Page 1
A SHIRT IN THE
MARKET
Page 2
A SHIRT IN THE
MARKET
A Cotton Farmer in
Kurnool
A typical farmer in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, cultivates cotton on a
small plot.
Harvesting ripe cotton bolls, the farmer and family prepare for sale.
Opting to sell through a local trader rather than the market, they've
borrowed Rs 2,500 for cultivation.
At the trader's yard, the cotton fetches Rs 6,000 but Rs 3,000 is
deducted for loan repayment and interest.
The farmer receives only Rs 3,000, facing limited bargaining power
against the influential trader.
Page 3
A SHIRT IN THE
MARKET
A Cotton Farmer in
Kurnool
A typical farmer in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, cultivates cotton on a
small plot.
Harvesting ripe cotton bolls, the farmer and family prepare for sale.
Opting to sell through a local trader rather than the market, they've
borrowed Rs 2,500 for cultivation.
At the trader's yard, the cotton fetches Rs 6,000 but Rs 3,000 is
deducted for loan repayment and interest.
The farmer receives only Rs 3,000, facing limited bargaining power
against the influential trader.
A Cotton Farmer in
Kurnool
This situation highlights the
vulnerability of small farmers, the
power dynamics with local
traders, and the financial
struggles they face in the
agricultural process.
Page 4
A SHIRT IN THE
MARKET
A Cotton Farmer in
Kurnool
A typical farmer in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, cultivates cotton on a
small plot.
Harvesting ripe cotton bolls, the farmer and family prepare for sale.
Opting to sell through a local trader rather than the market, they've
borrowed Rs 2,500 for cultivation.
At the trader's yard, the cotton fetches Rs 6,000 but Rs 3,000 is
deducted for loan repayment and interest.
The farmer receives only Rs 3,000, facing limited bargaining power
against the influential trader.
A Cotton Farmer in
Kurnool
This situation highlights the
vulnerability of small farmers, the
power dynamics with local
traders, and the financial
struggles they face in the
agricultural process.
Erode's cloth market in Tamil Nadu is globally
recognized for its vastness, offering diverse clothing
options, including those crafted by local weavers.
Surrounding the market are merchants' offices that
procure cloth from nearby villages. Traders from
various South Indian towns also frequent the market.
Weavers tailor custom cloth orders on market days as
per merchant demands, facilitating a supply chain
that connects them to garment manufacturers and
exporters, ensuring a steady flow of cloth.
THE CLOTH MARKET OF
ERODE
Page 5
A SHIRT IN THE
MARKET
A Cotton Farmer in
Kurnool
A typical farmer in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, cultivates cotton on a
small plot.
Harvesting ripe cotton bolls, the farmer and family prepare for sale.
Opting to sell through a local trader rather than the market, they've
borrowed Rs 2,500 for cultivation.
At the trader's yard, the cotton fetches Rs 6,000 but Rs 3,000 is
deducted for loan repayment and interest.
The farmer receives only Rs 3,000, facing limited bargaining power
against the influential trader.
A Cotton Farmer in
Kurnool
This situation highlights the
vulnerability of small farmers, the
power dynamics with local
traders, and the financial
struggles they face in the
agricultural process.
Erode's cloth market in Tamil Nadu is globally
recognized for its vastness, offering diverse clothing
options, including those crafted by local weavers.
Surrounding the market are merchants' offices that
procure cloth from nearby villages. Traders from
various South Indian towns also frequent the market.
Weavers tailor custom cloth orders on market days as
per merchant demands, facilitating a supply chain
that connects them to garment manufacturers and
exporters, ensuring a steady flow of cloth.
THE CLOTH MARKET OF
ERODE
PUTTING-OUT SYSTEM–
WEAVERS PRODUCING CLOTH
AT HOME
Merchant-Weaver Relationship: Merchants direct cloth production, provide
yarn, and handle sales.
Advantages for Weavers: No yarn expenses, clear production guidelines,
and facilitated sales.
Dependence and Power Imbalance: Weavers rely on merchants for
materials and markets; merchants hold significant control.
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