Market intervention of horticulture crops: With special reference to ajwain seed

The present investigation was undertaken with a view to study the pattern and practices in marketing for ajwain seed in Anrda Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Relationship between arrivals and prices of ajwain seed were measured by seasonal indices with the help of 5 years mean value of twelve-month ratio to trend method. In order to know the impact of arrivals on prices, linear regression analysis was carried out. The co-effi cient of variation (CV) was computed to find out the extent of fluctuations in market arrivals and prices of ajwain seed in the study area. Correlation matrix of prices of different markets was worked out to know the market integration. With the results emerged from the present study the highest area observed under ajwain crop in Rajasthan i.e. 24.38 ‘ 000 ha (56.29 percent) followed by Andhra Pradesh, Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Average price rupees per quintal was fetched highest in Mandsure market (MP) i.e. 10400/-followed by Jamnagar market (Gujarat) i.e. 10148/-and Kurnool market (AP) i.e. 10121/-. Similarly, lowest price was report in Nimbahera market (Rajasthan) i.e. 7000/-. At an overall level, the per quintal average prices of ajwain in all the market was observed to Rs.8768/-Co-efficient variation in arrivals was higher than the prices of ajwain in all the selected market except Madhy Pradesh market. Thus the higher fl uctuation in arrivals might have resulted in wide variation in prices of ajwain. Seasonal index of arrivals in selected market was found to be highest in the month of January (243.2) and minimum during the month of October (22.54). Similarly, the highest seasonal index of price in selected market was observed in the month of January (111.65) and lowest in the month of October (93.34). Thus, it's clearly indicated that, the seasonal fl uctuations in arrivals of ajwain were more than that of prices in selected market. That means, there was negative behavior of prices and arrivals for ajwain in selected market. Market integration was found highly significant between Andra Pradeash and Rajasthan market (0.663), between Maharashtra and Gujarat market (0.514). The co-effi cient of determination (R2) were found significant at 1 and 5 per cent level of probability in ajwain seed, there was high correlation between arrivals and prices of the ajwain. Thus it may be concluded that variation in supply of ajwain significantly affects prices. The regression coeffi cient between monthly arrivals and prices in Rajasthan and Gujarat market were found passively signifi cant. From these results, there was high correlation between arrivals and prices of the ajwain seed in Rajasthan and Gujarat market. From the study area, there were only one marketing channel were identified for distribution of ajwain seed i.e. (1) Producers → Commission agents cum wholesalers → Retailers → Consumers. Total marketing cost of Ajwain was worked out to 77.50 Rs/kg. Of which, maximum cost of Rs.35.75 incurred by the Wholesaler followed by Retailer of Rs.24.09/-and Rs. 17.71/-in case of Producer. A producer's share in consumer's rupee was estimated to 36.68 per cent.