Short & Long Questions: Wholesale Pulse Market of Posta | Window on the Word Class 7: Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

Short Answer Questions

Q1: What is the purpose of Daalposta in Posta, Kolkata?
Ans: Daalposta is the wholesale market specializing in pulses.

Q2: Why do most Indian farmers prefer to grow major food crops like rice or wheat instead of pulses?
Ans: Pulses offer lower profits compared to major crops, and there is no Minimum Support Price (MSP) in place.

Q3: What role do intermediaries play in the pulse supply chain?
Ans: Intermediaries process pulses, add their prices, and sell them to local wholesalers.

Q4: Name three Indian states known as the biggest producers of pulses.
Ans: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra.

Q5: Why do farmers face challenges in waiting for the right prices for their pulse crops?
Ans: Pulses cannot be stored for long, and farmers need to repay loans and buy seeds and fertilizers.

Q6: What risk do traders face in the pulse market due to fluctuating prices?
Ans: Traders risk incurring losses due to the unpredictable prices of pulses.

Q7: What is the significance of cooperatives formed by farmers?
Ans: Cooperatives help farmers fight market irregularities and protect their interests.

Q8: How do local traders add value to pulses before selling them to wholesalers?
Ans: Local traders process pulses by cleaning, removing the skin, and polishing them.

Q9: What private initiative aims to protect the interests of farmers in the pulse market?
Ans: ITC Ltd.'s E-Choupal.

Q10: Why is it important for farmers to be aware of soil management techniques like crop rotation?
Ans: Awareness of such techniques encourages them to cultivate pulses and increase their profitability.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: Explain the journey of pulses from the field to the wholesale market in Posta, Kolkata.
Ans: Pulses are grown in fields across India, and despite lower water requirements, they are not the first choice for farmers due to lower profits. The absence of a Minimum Support Price (MSP) leaves them vulnerable to market fluctuations. Intermediaries process and add value to pulses, which are then distributed to wholesalers. Trucks bring pulses to Daalposta, and they are stored in warehouses before being displayed to other wholesalers and retailers. Finally, retailers transport the pulses to their shops for sale to consumers.

Q2: Why are pulses not the first choice for most Indian farmers, even though they require less water to grow?
Ans: Pulses offer lower profits compared to major crops like rice or wheat. The absence of a Minimum Support Price (MSP) and the risks associated with pulse cultivation, along with fluctuating prices, deter farmers from prioritizing them.

Q3: How do wholesalers justify the higher price at which consumers buy pulses compared to the price at which farmers sell their crops?
Ans: Wholesalers argue that the higher price covers the costs of services they provide, including processing, storage, and transportation of pulses. They also bear the risk of fluctuating pulse prices, which could lead to substantial losses.

Q4: Explain the significance of cooperatives formed by pulse farmers in the current market scenario.
Ans: Cooperatives help pulse farmers fight market irregularities. By joining together, farmers can collectively negotiate for better prices and protect their interests against market uncertainties.

Q5: Describe the role of intermediaries in the pulse supply chain.
Ans: Intermediaries play a crucial role in processing pulses. They own milling machines or have ties with local mills to clean, dehusk, and polish pulses. They add their prices before selling them to local wholesalers, who further distribute them to different regions.