CHAPTER II
Growth of Lasalgaon Market
63 2.1 History
Lasalgaon is the largest market for onion in India and perhaps in the-entire conti nent, From the pre-independence period Lasalgaon was well-known as a market centre, li was famous for many agricultural produce, particularly Groundnuts, Wheat, Jowar, Bajra. Gur. Tur. Cotton and Vegetables. To protect the interests of the traders and the Farmers.' The Lasalgaon Merchants' Association' was established in 1940. The set up of tiiis association vas a land-mark in the marketing of agricultural produce. The associa tion helped to regulate all the marketing activities like sale, purchase, weighment, pay ment etc. This association introduced the open auction system in Lasalgaon market. It was remarkable to note that open auction system was introduced even before establish ment of regulated market. Naturally, fanners in the sun'ounding area preferred Lasalgoan market to sale their produce,
Lasalgoan market used to supply food grains and vegetables to civil and military departments of British Government located at Deolali camp and Ahmednagar during the period before 1947,
Lasalgoan is well connected by road and railway with other parts of the country. It is situated on the Central Railway. It is convenient to transport onion at minimum cost to major consuming centi es in the various parts of the nation. The Bombay - Agra high way runs nearby Lasalgaon. It also facilitates the transport of Onion to Mumbai and on to the northen side of the country. The transport is done through road and rail throughout the year, Mumbai airport and port is just 225 km. away from Lasalgoan which provides useful outlet for export of onion.
The Lasalgaon Agricultural produce Market Committee was established on 1st April 1947. according to the provisions of Bombay Agricultural Produce Market Act, 1939. This w as notified in the Official Gazatte of Bombay Government dated 22nd May 1947 on Page No. 340 of part 4(B), The notification date was 16th May 1947 numbered 9543/ 39. The market committee started actual working on 30th may 1947.
2.2 Market Area In the beginning, this market committee covered the area of two talukas viz. Niphad and Chandvvad, It covered 223 villeges of which 120 were from Niphad tahsil and 103 iVom Chandwad tahsil. 64 To cope up the increasing quantity of agricultural produce, new sub-markets were set up 31 St March. 1982 there were eight sub-markets functioning under this market commitiec. Their names and dates of establishment are as follows ;
Name of sub-yard Date of Establishment
I Chandwad C M. M R, 12, Lasalgaon and Chandwad dated 20-10-1955
2 Pimpalgaoii (Basawant) RM.A, 1356 AC, dated 1-6-1956 3 Niphad A RM. 733 dated 16-5-1961 4 Palkhed A.RM. 733 dated 16-6-1961 5 Saikheda N 0.-47, A.RM. 1518, dated 20-10-1963 6 Ozar A.RM, 1915, dated 27-11-1965 7 Wadnerbhairav C.M.R.R. 12, Wadnerbhairav, dated 20-9-1976.
In the year 1982, the Lasalgaon market committee was divided and a separate com- inillcc was established forChaiKlwad taluka. According to the Government of Maharashtra (ia/allcc. |-)arl I. dated 25-3-1‘■)82. the division took place and Chandwad Agricultural Produce Market Committee came into existence with effect from 1st April 1982. So Cluindwad and Wadnerbhairav sub-markets were separated from Lasalgoan market. Sub- sc(.[ucntly Chandwad bccamc the principal market and Wadnerbhairav the sub-market. As a result the jurisdiction of Lasalgaon market committee came to be restricted only to Niphad taluka. In the \ ear 1985. on 11 (h April a new sub-market was established at Kasabe Sukene in the Lasalgoan Market Committee. So after division in 1982, from 1st April 1982 to 27th December. 1995 there were six sub-markets , the list of which is given below
Name of sub-market Date of Establishment 1 Pimpalgaon (Basawant) 1-6-1956 2 Niphad 15-6-1961 3 l^ilkhcd 15-6-1961 4 Saikheda 20-10-1963 5 Ozar 27-11-1965 6 Ivasabc Kukenc 1 1-4-1985
65 Again the division of Market Committee took place in the year 1995. As per the notification published in the Gazatte of Maharashtra Government on 28th December, 1995 the division took place. The Lasalgaon market Committee was divided into two committees :
1) Pimpalgaon Basavant Agricultural Produce Market Committee and' 2) Lasalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee The Ozar. Palkhed, Saikheda and Kasabesukene sub-markets were allotted to the Pimplagaon(B) Market Committee. The Niphad sub-market remained with the Lasalogan Market, fhercafter in 1998 a new sub-market was opened in the Lasalgaon Market Com- miiicc. al Vinclnir. So from 28th December 1995 , the following sub-markets are work ing in the Lasalgaon M ark et;
Name of sub-mai ket Date of Establishment
1 Niphad 15-6-1961 2 Vinchur 22-I-I998
Presently there are 62 villeges under the Lasalgoan market Committee.
66 2.3 Commodities under Market Regulation With the increase in the production of different commodities over the years, regula- non of iheir marketing became necessaiy in the best interest of the producer. The Lasalgaon market Committee has been reguhiting the marketing of following commodities in the market area from different dates as given below :
Sr. Name of the Govt. Notification Date of No. Commodity Number & Date Execution 1 Onion. Ground-nut. Revenue Dept. Notification 1-5-1947 Leenseed No. 9543/39 dated 1-4-1947 2 Gur. Tur. Mung, Math Development Dept. No. 278 15-11-1949 dated 20-10-1949 j-> Jawar, Bajara, Wheat, Dev Dept. No. PM A/1354 10-6-1954 Gramkulthir Rai, Methi.Chillies dated 31-5-1954 4 Horsegram, Seasumseed Commissioner of Bombay 21-9-1963 No. APN/1184 dated 21-9-1962 5 Colton Commissioner of Bombay 21-9-1963 No. APM/1386 dated 15-5-1963 6 Cattle. Goats, sheep Commissioner of Bombay 1-4-1969 No. 195/MUG dated 9-7-1959 7 Udid Govt. Gazatte, Part 1, 25-4-1974 dated 25-4-1974. 8 Cotton seed Govt Gazatte, Part 1 20-11-1975 Dated 20-11-1975 >-) Rice. Tamato, Betel-leaf Govt-Gazattee, Part 1 19-7-1979 dated 19-7-1979 10 Patattos. suran, Ratali and Govt. Gazattee, Part 1 17-11-1983 all Vega tables dated 17-11-1983 11 Grapes Govt. Guzattee, Part 1 11-3-1988 dated 20-11-1986 12 Sun flower Govt, Guzattee, Part 1 1-3^1993 dated 11-2-1993 13 Fire-wood DDR, Co-op. Societies 31-1-1998 Nashik,No. 1683 dated 31-1-1998 14 Soyabean DDR, Co-op Societies 27-2-1998 Nashik, No. 98 dated 27-2-1998
15 Sedan a Govt. Gazatte, Part 1 - dated 27-5-1999
67 2.4 The Market Yard
The object of regulated market is to ensure orderly marketing of agricultural com modities. So. regulated market is a service organisation. The main objective of market legislation is regulating the sale of agricultural produce for the benefit of both producer and the consumer. To achieve this objective the foremost requisite is to have a planned and orderly ' Market yard'. A market yard is " a statutory declared area situated within the market where all sellers of the notified commodity only are supposed to bring them and effect transactions with licensed intermediaries under the supervision of the employees of the Market Committee." '
The proper location and layout of the market yard can fulfil the objectives of the Market committee. The ideal market yard should provide facilities and amenities for proper marketing The size of the market yard depends upon the volume of business and variety of products marketed ." Of course, the si/e and scope of yard depends upon number of factors such as. local conditions, the land available, economic conditions of the market etc. The layout should, therefore , be flexible to suit local conditions" * The Lasalgaon Market Committee has provided the following facilities in the market Yards :
1) Yard Land : The Lasalgaon market has got land of 9.73 hectars to which additions of 6.78 hectares of land was made in 1099 to facilitate the auction of onion which arrives at a very large .scale in recent years. The sub-yard at Niphad has 6.09 hectares of yard land whereas Vinclun subyard is of 1.85 hectares. The market yard area of various sub-markets are as follows :
(I) The Directorate o f Marketing and Inspection: 'Working o f Regulated markets in hidia" Regulated markets, Vol. II, 1968, Page-37
2) Indian Standards Institute; "Layout for Regulated Market Yard for Agricultural Convnittees" , NeM: Delhi. I960.
68 Market Yard Area ( In hectares) Year Market Yard 1994-95 2000-01 1 Lasalgaon (Principal Yard) 9.73 9.73 + 6 .7 8 = 16.51 2 Niphad (sub-yard) 2.85 2.85 +3.24= 6.09 3 Vinchur (sub-yard) - 1.85 4 Pimpalgoan(B)(sub-yard) 7.20 - 5 Saikheda (sub-yard) 4.85 - 6 0 /a r (sub-yard) 2.21 - 7 Kasabe Sukene (sub-yard) 1.07 - 8 Palkhed (sub-yard) 1.71 Total 29.62 24.45 Source : Annual Administrative Report o f Lasalgaon Agricultural Produce Market committee , 1994-95 and 2000-0}
2) Underground Electrification 3) Drinking water facilities with five large size water tanks. 4) Canteens 5) Cement concrete Roads 6) Sari.iary Blocks 7) Seli-halls 8) Compound wall 9) Shopping complex with 385 shops for retailers 10) Weighing Machines 11) Guesl House for farmers 12) Warehouse 13) Water Pipe-Lines 14) Aahal ( cattle drinking water pond) 15) Tractor Shed 16) Office Building with computerisation 17) Internet facility 18) Interanet facility connecting all major Regulated Markets of Maharashtra 19) Staff-quarters 20) Sell-Hall for auction of Vegetables 21) Veterinary Dispensary
69 22) Gumasta Hall 23) rclcconimunicalion Facility ( Telephone Booths) 24) Bore-wells 25) Glitters 26) Public Announcement system 27) Notice Boards 28) Bank
2.5 Lay-out of IMarket Yard
The layout of the yard is very important because a number of facilities are to be provided in the yard and everybody should have easy access to all the places. In addition to providing for the easy movement of persons, carts, trucks , tractors etc. sufficient space for off-street parking has also to be provided. The Lasalgaon Market Committee has given proper attention to the layout of the yard and it has made easy mo\ ement of the various factors functioning in the market.
The main office building is located in the centre of the yard. On the right hand side of It. there are nine sell-halls and open space for open auction. On the left hand side of the office, a large area is reserved for open auction. On the back side of the office, there is open space for auction, so also on the west side there is large open space for open auction. On the east, west and south of the yard, land is allotted to traders on lease basis, where the traders have their work-places. On the east and south of the yard, adjoining to the compound, there are large shopping complexes. Internal roads of 9.0 metre or 6.0 metre wide are constructed for the transport purpose.
2.6 Site of Market Yard
The site of die market yard is one important aspect which requires special consid eration. Site of the yard means its actual location, whether located in the congested part ofthe town along main road, at the peripheral of the town or away from the town. Most of the market yards are located in the town and along the main road. However, as the arrivals of commodities increase and number of vehicles coming to the market grow up, the new market sites are selected. Wherever new sites are selected for constructions of market yards, these must always be near the old market centre so that people do not experience any difficulty in shifting to the new sites.
70 Figure 5
LASALGAON j.oc vnoN Of’ M \RKr;r y a r d
71 3 ^ ITy r
013Xr O ^ X
72 A large plot was reserved for Lasalgaon market yard in the heart of the town. It is located at the comer where Vinchur Road and Kotamgaon road intersects each other. The yard area is admeasuring 9.73 hectares, in gat number 144,145 and 146. This plot was allotted by the Maharashtra Government vide its notification number PMA/7254/ 71373 dated 27-7-1954. The map of Lasalgaon town shows the exact location of the market yard. To the right of the yard the Vinchur-Lasalgaon road runs which straight way goes to Lasalgaon railways station. On the north of the yard, runs the Lasalgaon-Kotamgaon road. It is clear from the map that the yard is located in the town itself which is convenient to all to have easy access to the market. However due to increasing volume of arrivals and number of vehicles, a new plot for market was acquired in the year 1999, admeasuring 6.78 hectares. Tliis acquisition was notified by the Government in the Official Gazatte part I dated 27-5-1999 . The new yeard is just half a km. away from the original yard. The new plot is mainly used for the auction of onion. It is located on the Kotamgaon road. Need less to add, the new additional yard is outside the town. However, it is to be noted that the new yard has periphery site in relation to habitation and it is along the road.
2.7 The Market Coinmittee
The marketing of agricultural produce in notified area is to be exercised thought the Market Committee constituted under the Act. So the market committee is a crucial body on wliich depends the proper implementation of provisions of the law. It has pow ers to prescribe conditions of fair trading and to take necessary steps for improving the marketing system. It can lay down penalties for the contravention of conditions of trad ing.
There were 15 members on the Lasalgaon Market Committee from 1947-48 to 1970- 7 1 but then the number increased to 18 from 1971 -72 and remained the same up to 1999. From the year 2000 the number of members is 21. The members are chosen as follows ; 1) Four agriculturists elected by the Grampanchat constituency which are fimctioning in the market area of the committee, one of whom is reserved for Economically Backwad class and one for Notified Castes and Tribes.
73 2) Nine agriculturists clectcci by the Agricultural Credit Cooperative Societies functioning in the market area of the committee, two of whom are reserved
for women.
3) Two members elected by the traders and commission agents holding licence
to operate in the market area.
4) One member elected by the Labourers and Weighmen holding licence of the committee to work in the market area. 5) One member elected by the Agricultural Processing Co-operatives Societies func tioning in the market area.
6) Sarpanch or his representative of the local authority ( other than panchayat
samittee) within the jurisdiction of which the principal market is situated. 7) President or his representative of the Panchayat Samittee within the jurisdiction o f vvhicii the market area or major portion thereof is situated.
8) The Assistant Registrar. Co-operative Societies, Niphad Taluka.
9) The Agricultural Extension Officer, Panchyat samittee, Niphad Taluka.
The ex-officio members belonging to the last two categories do not have vot ing power. The term of office is of five years. The chairman and the vice-chairman are elected by the members. The committee carries out its functions according to the provi sions of the bye-Iaws. The committee can appoint sub committees for the purpose of licensing, consti'uction, grading, disputes, regulations, staff problems etc.
To look after the day to day working and the administration of the market commit tee, a secretary is appointed by the committee who works under the supervision, control and guidance of the committee. From 1947 to 1951 the Secretary was nominated by the Government, but for rest of the period the appointment was by the committee.
2.8 Market Intelligence One significant service rendered by the Market committee is in the field of market
Intelligence, The daily prices ruling in the principal market are announced on its public amiouncement system. It is done twice a day, once in the morning announcing the prices of previous day and secondly, in the evening announcing the prices prevailing on the
74 day. Ill addition to this, the prices of various commodities are exhibited on a large Notice
Board. The prices announced are minimum, maximum and the average for each com modity. The traders are also required to exhibit price lists of specified agricultural pro
duce at their shops.
The information about arrivals and prices of each commodity is sent to Deputy
Director of Marketing, Mumbai for broadcasting over All India Radio. Similarly, pub licity is given to it in the main local newspapers which circulate in the district. Recently, the market committee has provided a telecommunication system on which fanners can get infomiation about the current market position at any time. Of late, the Market Com mittee has joined the computer networking of Marketing Board of Maharashtra, wherein
all the major agricultural produce markets are linked so the farmers can get current mar
ket rates of any major market in Maharashtra , live! The Internet facility provides information from any comer of the worid, instantly. All these things have helped the
fanners to sUidy the market position and to take a decision about the proper time to sale the produce in the market.
2.9 Licencing
The market functionaries have to take licence form the Market Committee for work ing in the Market. The unauthorised persons are not allowed to function in the market. A separate Licencing sub-committee, appointed by the Market committee, looks after this job. The following types of licences are issued by the Market Committee : 1. Commission Agents ( Aadatya)
2. Traders - A class 3. T raders- B class
4. Traders - C class
5. Broker 6. Processing Agent - A class
7. Processing Agent - B class
8. Supervisor
75 9. Weighmen (Mapari) 10. W arehouseman 11. Discounting Agent 12. Assistant to Discounting Aeent
13. Assistant to Traders and Commission Agents 14. Labourer (Hama!) 15. Owner and Driver of Truck
16. Traders - A Class ( Cattle, sheeps and Goats) 17. Traders - B Class ( Cattle, sheeps and Goats)
18. Traders - C Class ( Cattle, sheeps and Goats)
2.10 Settlement Committee
Disputes are bound to be there where there is human factor. Disputes among the buyers, sellers or their agents on the issues of quality of produce, weights, payments or any item in relation to regulation of marketing of agriculture produce in the market area are setted by settlement committee. This committee consists o f: 1. Vice chairman of Market Committee
2. Four members from amongst members of Market Committee elected from agriculturists constituency .
3. One member from amongst members of Market committee elected from traders constituency.
4. One member from amongst members of the Market Committee elected from
labouters and weighmen constituency.
5. Secretary of the Market Committee shall be the member-secretary.
As and when a dispute arises efforts are made to settle it, first by the supervisor of the market committee. The disputes which can not be settled by the supervisor are for warded to the settlement committee and the decision of this committee is binding on the parties to the dispute. The procedure for settlement is prescribed in the rules.
76 2.11 Other Features
1 )The committee has its own grading unit which works in collaboration with the Government grading unit. This unit seeks to educate the farmers about the importance of grading so that they can get better prices for their produce.
2)Since 1977-78 the NAPED unit has been paying a very significant role in Lasalgaon m arket. It works in accordance with the government policy on support price for com modities. NAFED has consttaicted a large complex in Lasalgaon which enables all mar keting activities to be carried out throught the year. It has helped tremendously to boost onion marketing in last couple of years.
3 )The purchase of onion by the Government of Maharshtra tlirought the Maharashtra Co-operative Marketing Federation in accordant with the price support policy has gener ated a climate of healthy competition in the onion marketing.
4)Three large shopping complexes have been established by the Market Committee in the market yard. There are as many as 385 shops in all the three complexes. The shops provide agricultural in;^uts and agro-services required by the farmers. As a result, more and more fomiers prefer Lasalgaon market for sell of their produce.
5)Maharashtra State Warehousing Corporation has provided warehousing facilities in the market yard. To cope up with the increasing demand for warehousing facility, the Corporation has planned for extension of its facilities.
6)There is one very important co-operative institution established in Lasalgaon way back in 1937, namely The Lasalgaon Vibhag Sale and Purchase Union . It is very active in providing agro-services to farmers and consumers. It supplies seeds, fertilisers, ce ment, cloth, electtic motor pumps, agro -products etc. at minimum prices. It acts as coniniission agent for NAI’ED and Marketing Federation of the state. These two bodies have to purchase onion through this Union only The Union do not tt-ansact the business of sale and purchase of Onion.
7)Nasliik district produces export quality onion. As such a substantial quantity of onion is exported from Lasalgaon Market, through the agency of NAFED. In recent years, Government has adopted the policy of granting export licence to private tt-aders also. As a result, there are some traders in the Lasalgaon market who deal with the onion exports. Since 1999, the export of onion has been cannalised tlirough the Maharashtra
77 State Marketing Board.
8)The information about the number of disputes over years is not available from the market committee. However we learnt that the disputes are settled orally by the supervi sor and staff of the market committee. Till now the traders and sellers have not been penalised or fined.
9)The arrivals of the onion in the Lasalgaon market is at a large quantum. The traders do purchase the entire quantity that has arrived in market, for the only reason that there is tremendous demand in the country and outside the nation. The usual centres where onion is supplied is shown below:
State Cities
1 Wesi Bengol Shalimar, Kolkata, Chakradharpur, Raniganj, Bhagalpur. 2 Delhi Delhi. 3 Uttar Pradesh Lucknow, Naini, Kanpur, Allahabad, Mogulsarai, Aagra. 4 Bihar Patna, Gaya, Tatanagar, Muzaparpur. 5 Punjab Ludhiana, Chandigar, Jalundhar, Amrutsar, Firojpur. 6 Aasam Gohatti, Silchar, Tejpur, New-Bongai, Karimganj, Jalpaiguri. 7 Madhya Pradesh Bilaspur, Jabalpur, Raipur, Asansol, Madan-mohan, Bhopal. 8 Orissa Bhuvaneshwar, Cutuk, Raurkela, Behrampur. 9 Kam atak Bangalore, Davangiri. 10 Andra Pradesh Hydrabad, Vijaynagar. 11 Tamil Nadu Chennai, Trichana Palli.
Onion is exported to the following centres abroad. 1 Singapore 2 B char in 3 Doda 4 M uscuit 5 Kuiwet 6 Dubai 7 Edan 8 Pinang 9 Nairobi
78 10 Port Luis 11 M osamba 12 Buirut 13 Abudhabi 14 Colambo 15 Kathmandu 16 Kwalakimpur 17 Sharjah etc
2.12 Arrivals of Agricultural Produce
As inentioned earlier, Lasalgaon market deals Vvdth a number ot agncuiturai com modities. Among the regulated commodities, Onion Wheat, Bajara, Jowar and Ground nuts are prominent. Here we study the growth of arrivals in the agricultural commodities in tenns of quantity and value since 1971-72.
Table 2.1 shows the arrivals of total agricultural commodities in quantity in the Lasalgaon market. The index numbers of the arrivals are calculated taking 1971-72 as base year. The table also exhibits percentage variations in the arrivals from year to year. It can be observed that there is increasing trend in the arrivals over the period with substantical fluctuations from year to year.
The index number had risen to 298.36 in the year 1992-93, the highest in the thirty years, and with changes over the years it came to 214.89 in 2000-01. It can be observed that the index number decreased drastically in 1995-96 to 196.59 from 299.64 in the previous year, i.e. 1994-95. It may be due to division of the market committee that took place in 1995. However the overall scene shows the increasing trend in the arrivals.
Turning to annual fluctations, we observe both positive and negative types of vari ations. It is interesting to note that within a span of 29 years there are 16 positive and 13 negative yearly variations. The rage of positive variations is much more than the nega tive variations. The negative variations ranged between 1.15 to 34.39 percent while posi tive variations ranged between 4.79 to 52.28 percent.
79 2.13 Value of Agricultural Produce
There was tremendous nse in the value of agricultural produce brought in the Lasalgaon market. Table 2.2 exhibits this growth in the period from 1971-72 to 2000-01. It is shown with the help of index number taking 1971-72 as base year. The yearly varia tions in the index number are shown in percentages. It can be observed from the table that the index increased from 100 in 1971-72 to 1752.36 in 1992-93 and to 2198.67 in 2000- 01 . This more than proportionate increase in the value was mainly due to the inflationary conditions. Thus, over the entire period the total value of the marketed commodities had gone up by 21 times and more.
There were a few years in which negative variations were noticed in the total value. But the positive variations far outnumbered them and their range also was wider and this accounts for overall increase in the value of commodities. Thus, the negative variations ranged between 00.28 to 27.84 percent while the positive variation ranged between 1.25 to 165.27 percent.
To sum up, the quantity of agricultural produce in Lasalgaon market increased more than two times while its value rose up by 21 times. The rise in the value was due to the inflationary conditions.
2. 14 Importance of Onion in Lasalgaon Market
Nov/ let us study the importance of onion in Lasalgaon market. For examining its importance in the market, we have to study the share of onion arrival and its value in the total arrivals and the total value of all the commodities. In Table 2.3 the quantity of onion and its value and the percentages of the same to the total arrivals and total value respec tively, for a period from 1971-72 to 2000-01 are presented.
Tlie table shows that more than 80% of the total arrivals are of onion. And further more than 65% of the total value of the commodities is of onion value.There is increas ing trend in both the proportions over the period. However, we notice that the fluctua tions in the proportions in respect of value of onion are more in number and wider in range than those in respect of its quantity. This is so because of the fact that proportions for value depend not only upon the changes in ;quantity and prices of oni.on but also changes in quantities and prices of other commodities. 80 Thus the percentage of onion arrivals to total arrivals was 88.22 in 1971-72. It remained some what constant, with slight ups and downs, throughout the period. The percentage was highest in the year 1994-95 recording it to 95.21. The table clearly shows that how onion is the prominent commodity in the Lasalgaon market. Today onion contributes more than 80 percent of the total arrivals of all the com modities in the Lasalgaon market. There are , no doubt, year to year fluctuations, but tliese are of marginal nature. Turning to the proportions in respect of value, we observe that the percentage of onion value to the total value was 66.66 in 1971-72. It increased to 74.46 percent in 1981-82 and came down to 79.55 percent in 1991-92. The highest percentage was re corded in the year 1997-98 being 95.59 percent. Thus the value of onion today is more than 80 percent of the total value of all the commodities marketed in Lasalgaon market. It is observed that both the proportions have shown a rise over the year , but not always moved in the same direction. Thus we notice a fall in the proportion of value in some years although there was a rise in the proportion of quantity and vice versa. As stated earlier, this was due to changes in the quantities and prices not only of onion , but also those of other commodities.
2. 14.1 Onion Arrivals
Onion harvesting and marketing start about the same time. Normally, onion marketing season ranges from October-November to June-July, But in Lasalgaon mar ket, marketing of onion continues throughout the year. Farmers bring their onion in the market according to volume of production, storage capacity, cash need, onion prices etc.
Table 2.4 shows arrivals of onion each year, the index number and the annual varia tions between 1971-72 to 2000-01. It can be observed from the table that arrivals show an increasing tendency over the year, as a whole. With 1971-72 as a base year, the index of arrivals has increased to 187.45 in 1980-81 , to 266.63 in 1990-91 and 323.39 in 1994- 95. The table also reveals that there were wide fluctuations year to year, in either direc tion in the arrivals during the period. The negative variations ranged between 1.88 per cent to 29.17 percent whereas positive variations ranged between 00.07 percent to 64.54 percent.
81 o O o o o 8 o o o o in o o o s o TT
82 sjUAi.uv JO 5?2C 2.14.2 Value of Onion Arrivals There was tremendous increase in the value ot onion brought in the Lasalgaon market. Table 2,5 shows this growth in the period from 19771-72 to 2000-01. Itis exhib ited with the help of index number taking 1971 -72 as the base year. The yearly variations in the index number are shown in percentages. It can be seen from the table that the index increase fvom lOOin 1971-72 to 1092.93 in 1991-92 and to 2841.99 in 2000.01. It was highest in 1997-98 numbenng at 3965.47. The more than proportionate increase in the value was mainly due to the inflationary conditions. Besides , value also depended upon quantum of arrivals, support prices, demand over the country and abroad etc. Thus over the entire penod, the value of the marketed onion had gone up by 28 times. There were a few years in which negative variations were noticed in the total value. But the pt)silive variations outnumbered the negative variations . It accounts for overall increase in ihe value of onion marketed . Thus the negative variations ranged between 3.77 and 33.55 percent while the positive variations ranged between 1.17 percent to 182.18 percent. To sum up, the quantity of onion marketed in the Lasalgaon market increased more than two times while its value rose up by 28 times.
2.14.3 Monthly Fluctuations in Onion Arrivals
Now we turn to analysis of monthly arrivals of onion in the Lasalogan mar ket. The yearly flunctuations is the results of production fluctuations over various years. On the other hand, month to monthly fluctuations accur not only because of difference in production ol different seasons, but also because of the existence of lean period every > ear when there is no production of onion at all. In other words, there are some months when hca\y arrivals are recorded, there are others when arrivals are moderate and still others when arrivals are veiy low. Therefore, attention is given to the monthly movement during the year, commonly known as seasonal movements or periodic movements. The seasonal movements have been calculated by using three yearly moving average method. Since moving average is a fairly good estimate of trend and cyclical movements com bined, the resulting seasonal index gives a better picture of seasonal movements.
84 The seasonal index showing the typical intra year movements of the series, is based on monthly data of arrivals . available from the office of A.P.M.C. Lasalgaon for the period which is shown in Table 2.6.
VVe First calculated the average index for each month by iising three yearly moving a\ erage method and dividing the month-wise total of indices by the number of years for which data was collected i.e. 29 years. The monthly average indices are shown below the totals of the respective months in Table 2.7.
From these indices the average of averages was calculated to get the Average Sea sonal Index. Thus the Average Seasonal Index of arrivals of onion was calculated as follows: Total of averaaes of 29 \ ears
12 Months 1540.88
------= 128. 40
12
After computing the Average Seasonal Index, we calculated the seasonal Arrival Index for each, month by using the following formula ;
Monthly Average Index Seasonal Arrival Index = ...... -...... x 100
12 Month Average Seasonal Index 56.06 ------X 100 = 43.66 128.40 So 43.66 was the Seasonal Amvals Index for the month of October.
The Table 2.7 shows that Seasonal Arrivals Index was highest at 152.45 in Januaiy It decreased to 133.82 in February. It decreased from March to October with the only ex ception of May where in it increased to 140.65. The month of October recorded the low est index at 43.(^6. The indices implies that November to February is a period of heavy arrivals with the month of May accompanying it. And the period from June to
85 October is lean season. The major share of onion production comes from Rangada, Rabbi and late Rabbi (Unhal) which are harvested around November, January and April-May respectively. So the seasonal indices are high in this period. On the contrary, the contri bution of kharip variety is relatively small and there is no production in August, Septem ber and October . This clarifies why the seasonal indices for these months are low.
To sum up. there were wide fluctuations in monthly arrivals of onion in accordance with the seasonal changes in production in the market area.
2.15 Onion marketing System
Agricultural marketing, as a business activity, involves flow of goods and serv
ices from the point of initial production until they reach the ultimate consumer. In other
words, it is a functional process observed in trading agricultural commodities mainly be
tween producers and traders and indirectly consumers also. The whole marketing process
involves movement of commodities in a services of actions in some sequence. This se
quential movement of commodities is known as 'Marketing process' or ' Marketing sys tem', which differs from economy to economy and also from one country to another and sometimes within country also.
In agricultural marketing, the farmer producer is at the one end, while at the other
end is the consumer and in between these two are the various marketing functionaries.
The marketing process starts with movement of farm product to the market, where busi ness is conducted and/or controlled by traders , commission agents and other agencies,
etc. The factors affecting this contact are transportation, communication, legal system,
monetary system, etc. which are also associated v^ath business management activities.
The actiKil buying and selling activities are done under certain norms and also under some organizational system and ultimately the product is first purchased by traders, wholesalers or retailers through middlemen /agents and then reaches the consumers.
Like other states in India, Maharashtra also has two types of marketing system of agricultural products, viz. private trade- uncotrolled and without state intervention and regulated market operations in which trading is done under rules and regulations. Inspite
86 of the fact that Maharashtra has adopted regulated marketing system of agricultural commodities, other systems such as sale in villages, direct sale to private traders, sale in weekly markets are also prevalent. In the present context, out primary concern is the regulated marketing process or system.
The main purpose of the regulated marketing is to provide the farmers a fair deal by
checking malpractices in weighing, payments etc., and also to make adequate arrange
ment for sale and purchase by providing market infrastructures and other facilities. Gen
erally, these markets work under the supervision of market committees and farmers have
a choice of traders to sell their produce at a better deal. In regulated markets in Maharashtra
the open auction system is compulsory.
Needless to add, marketing of onion in Maharashtra is regulated by the 'Maharashtra Agricultural produce Marketing (Regulation) Act, 1963 and the Rules made thereunder
by all the market committees. As per the Act, there are principal and sub-market yeards
scattered all over the state so that the framers can bring their onion for sale to the nearest market yard.
2.15.1 Open Auction
The prevalent system of agricultural marketing in regulated markets of Maharastra
i s the open auction system, which may be considered as one of the best systems, because in
this system the involvement of the producer farmer is there and it is upto him to give the
iinal consent on the price of the deal. The market committee also supervises this process. For this purpose necessary auction platforms cemented or paved are there in each market and specially in planned regulated markets such platforms have been properly designed.
Wherever grading prior to sale is taken up, lots are arranged gradewise which reduces the time involved in conducting the sale. The auction is done in two rounds- first in the morn ing hours and second in the afternoon. The starting point is fixed by mutual understanding. If all the lots have not been conceded on the same day, next day the auction will start from the place where the last auction had been done on the
87 earlier day. For each lot, bids have been offered by hcenced traders and commission agents known as arthiya . The produce lot is sold to the Iiighest bidder provided the owjier (farmer) also agrees otherwise its auction is done at a later date. The finally settled price is also noted in official records. In this process, government agencies also purchase the agricultural products either in open auction through agents or on prices fixed and declared by the government.
As explained above, open auction for onion sale takes place in Lasalgaon market.
The open auction system was introduced by the Lasalgaon Merchants Association estab lished in 1940.
The unit of quotation is per quantal and the minimum bid is Re. one. Each subse quent bid should be in multiple of Re, one. Normally the auction starts at about 9.00 a.m. and goes on up to 1,00 p.m. It again starts at 3.00 pm. and continues upto 6.00 p.m.
Sometimes, depending upon the volume of arrivals, the auction continues beyond 6.00 p.m. to clear the arrivals.
During the period of heavy arrivals the market committee generally allots different days for bullock-carts, tractors and trucks to facilitate daily clearance of arrivals, A serial luimber is given by the market cleark to each vehicle on arrival at market yard. The auction then takes place in the order of serial numbers. During the period of heavy arriv als a seller may have to wait for subsequent days for auction. The numbering system reduces his waiting period. As far as possible, the Market Committee and the Marchants
Association try to auction all the onion on the same day of arrival in the market.
Immediately after auction , an agreement slip is prepared in triplicate on the spot by the commission agent or by his representative. It is duly signed by the purchaser or his agent and by the sale clerk of the market committee. One copy of agreeriient slip is handed over to the Market Committee for record and one copy is given to the farmer-' seller. The counterfoil is kept by the commission agent.
8 8 2.15.2 Weightment I 'rom the seller's point of view, weightment is an important function, so also the purchaser and the market committee. Under the system of regulated markets, weightment of all the agricultural produce has to be done within the premises of market yard. However, it is not possible to weigh the onion in the yard because of hunge arrivals and insufficient open space in the yard and also because of large number of purchasers. Therefore, generally weighment is done at traders' plots, majority of which are located on Railway Station Road. This is both convenient and necessary because, apart from weighing, other functions like sorting, cleaning, packing and displaying have to be car ried on simultaneously by the traders. Sufficient number of Mapari (Weighmen) on the market should be available for efficient marketing. During the busy season many sellers are forced to stay overnight on the plot of traders due to luck of enough weighmen and resultant delay in weiglitment. riicrclbre . Market Committee should issue licences to additional weightmen to avoid del ay. When weightment takes place, a ' weightment slip' is prepared by the weightman. This slip is prepared in quardraplicate. One copy is given to purchaser-trader, one to famier-seller, one to the labourer (Hamal) and one counterfoil is kept with the weighman. It is to be noted that' Weightment Slip Book ' is issued by the Market Committee to the weighmen free of cost.
2.15.3 Payment
After receiving the weightment slip the fanner has to go to the Commission Agent for payment of his produce. Generally immediate payment is made . A ' Payment .slijV is prepared by the Commission Agent in quardaplicate. One copy is given to farmer- seller. one copy to the purchaser-trader, one to Market Committee and the office copy is i ctaiiiL-d h\ ihc Commission Agent. Now-a- days almost all the Commission Agents and and Traders have computerised their accounting system and so there is lot of simplicity and correctness in the accounting and recording the transactions.
The payment slip usually contains the name of farmer-seller and trader-purchaser, weight, rate, total price payable, deductions for weightinent charges, hamali, commis sion etc. and the net amount payable, 89 The old reputation of Lasalgaon Market for cash payment has been tarnished in recent years especially after the entry of the NAFED and MSCME. These two co-opera tive agencies have to make payment tlirought their conunission agent namely 'Lasalgaon Vibhag Kharedi Vikri sangh' and this involves delay in payment of about 15 days . As a consequence, the commission agents also delaying payments to their sellers. Thus, delay in payment further adds to the farmers difficulties.
2.15.4 IMarket Functionaries
In tlic modern marketing system many functionaries participate in the marketing proc ess. We discuss here important functionaries operating in the Lasalgaon Market, which are Traders, NAFED, MSCMF, VEFCO, Commission Agents, Weighmen and Hamals.
(1) Traders
Tiie traders are the main pillars of any marketing system. There are three classes of traders in the Lasalgaon market, i.e. A class, B class and C class. While issuing licences to the traders, the market committee considers number of factors such as eco nomic condition, turnover and dealings of the trader in the market. The provision in issuing licences is made in the Rules of market committee. It reads as that A class traders are those who can deal with purchase of all commodities in the principal and sub-yards. 13 class traders are those who, outside the principal and subyards can purchase 25 quintals of commodities at a time and can store 50 quintals of commodities at a time. The C class traders are those who can purchase 10 quintals of commodities at a time outside the principal and sub-yards and can store 25 quintals of commodities at a time.
Only A class traders can purchase onion in Lasalgaon market. Generally they oper ate through commission agents to whom they have to pay commission on the basis of the value of produce purchased through them. It is common practice for some traders to work as commission agents also. They have therefore, to take separate licences as traders and commission agents.
The traders have to pay amount of commission to the commission agents after receiving bills from them, on the same day or within 3 to 7 days as per the practice and tradition of the trade. They are also liable to a pay the market fee and supervision cost 90 the ' pucca arhatia' acts on behalf of buyers. It is normal parctice that the same commis sion agents may act as both katcha and pucca arhatias.
The katcha arhatias pay to sellers immediately after the sale, collecting the same from the buyer at a later date.
The pucca arhatias buy and sell the produce on behalf of the marchants in outside markets They attend to drying, cleaning and packing before disposal to the buyers. As can be seen from Table 2.9 the total licenced number of commission agents wa; just 08 in 1947-48 which rose up slowly to 122 in 2000-01 However actual functioning commission agents are less, which can been seen in Table 2.10,. The reason is that th< licences are issued for political and election purposes.
The commission agents get commission from the seller farmers at a rate prescribec by the Market Committee from time to time. Table 2.11 shows the rates of commissioi (Aadat) prescribed by the Market Committee for Onion. The present rate of commissioi is Rs. 4 per Rs. 100 of onion sale value.
(3) The NAFED
Government has called upon the co-operative sector to play an important role HI the marketing of onion as a part of general policy of intervention in marketing ol agricultural produce. According to N. Subba R ao," The intervention of Government ir llxing remunerative, procurement and support prices in the case of all important agricul tural produce is justified on the ground that it should protect the farmers from unhealthj competition anioung the buyers and the vagaries of marketing".
The co-operative sector has been actively associated with the purchase and sale ol onion within the country and abroad. For this purpose the National Agricultural co operative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) has been taking part in the procure ment of onion particularly in Maharashtra and Gujrat since 1974-75 . Subsequently its operation were extended to southern states.
3) N. Subba Rao : " Changing Marketing Structure and Policy A case -study ofTobacd in A ndra Predesh" India Journal o f Agricultural Economics Vol. XXXIVNo. 3, July-Sept.
I9S4. Pa^eo 190.
92 The NAFED a premier co-operative marketing institution in the country started purchasing onion on a small scale in the late sixties in Nashik District through traders and mainly through ' District co-operative Union.' In the beginning, it restricted itself in canalisation of onion export. Later on it started purchasing operations on large scale directly in Lasalgaon Market and Nashik district for internal sale and export.
The NAFED started purchasing onion in Lasalgaon market as from 16th November 1977 and since then it has been playing an important role in the purchase of onion in this market. It has thus helped to stabilise onion prices in this area and indirectly stimulated for the onion production. It has established an ' Onion complex' in Lasalgaon which enables to conduct all marketing activities in all the seasons.
(4) The MSCMF
There was continuous demand for remunerative price for onion by the agri culturists. A large-scale agitation took place all over Maharashtra in 1979-80 by the farmers for this demand. Consequently Government of Maharashtra started purchasing onion in the market. This purchases by Government in Lasalgaon market started on 5th December 1980, For this purpose Government appointed ' Maharashtra State Co-operative Market ing Federation' which undertakes purchasing operations on the basis of support price policy. As compared with NAFED, this institution has not succeeded in trading of onion efficiently. This is evident from the fact that it has suffered heavy losses. Various factors are responsible for these losses.
(5) Weighmen To protect the farmer-sellers from malpractices in weighing, an independent agency of weighmen is introduced to ensure correct weightment of agricultural produce sold by the farmers. A licenced weighman is thus very important functionary in market ing His duty is to weigh the produce correctly and impartially and to prepare weightment slip accurateK, Licences are issued by the Market Committee to weighmen who only can act as weighmen in the market area. The weighmen get weighing charges for their duty. The chargcs are collected by the trader and remitted to Mathadi Board office who
93 canalise the payments to weighmen through Banks. The weighing charges are based upon the weight of the produce weighed by them. The rates of the weighing charges are ’ prescribed by the Market Committee from time to time. The topic of wei^m en is dis cussed in detail in a separate chapter. (6) Hamals Hamals or labourers are the persons who have the physical work to perform in the marketing process. So far as marketing of onion is concerned they have to unload the onion from carts, tractor-trollies, trucks etc. and to move the onion to the place of vveighment. After weightment they have to carry the onion to the open ground or plot where further processing is done on the onion for marketing purpose. The Hamals have to pack the onion in the jute-bags of various sizes, sew the bags and then to load into trucks for transportation. The various facets of Hamals are discussed in a separate chap ter m detail.
(7) Women Workers In the process of marketing of onion, cleaning and sorting are very important activities . As onion is perishable commodity, lot of care is to be taken for cleaning and sorting ofdctcriorated onion, before packing into bags. This work is entrusted to women workers. They are not required to take out a licence from Market Committee. They are in the dircct employment of traders.
(8) Merchants Association As is explained earlier, from the pre-independence period Lasalgaon was well-known as a market center. It was famous for variety of agricultural produce, particularly ground nut. onion, wheat, jowar, bajara, gur, tur etc. To safeguard the interests of the trading community. ‘ The Lasalgaon Merchants Association' was established in 1940 and it was registered under the Companies Act at that time. The establishment of Merchants Association was a significant event in the history of agricultural marketing in this area. The Merchants Association helped to regulate all mar keting practices viz. sale, purchase, weightment, payment etc. It introduced open auction system in this market. It is worth to note that regulated market was set up in Lasalgaon in
94 1947 and before that the Merchants Association introduced the open auction system. It does mean that the Association look after not only the interests of traders but the farmers also. The Lasalgaon Merchants Association is a voluntary organization and membership is open to all licensed traders and commission agents functioning in Lasalgaon market. At present ( December 2003) there are 147 members of the Association. Every, member has 10 pay membership fee of Rs. 500 for a year commencing from first of April. From amongst the members ‘ Executive Committee’ consisting of eleven members is elected. The term of office of each member of executive committee is five years. Two members retire every year by rotation. From amongst the committee members, one president and two vice- presidents are elected, the term of office of whom is one year . The source of income is the ‘ Association Fund’ to which the commission agents contribute at a rate of two paise per Rs. 100 of sale of produce through them and the traders contribute at a rate of eight paise per Rs. 100 of purchase of produce by them. The ‘ Association Fund’ shall be spent only on the following objects ; 1) The payment of salaries and allowances of the office staff and servants. 2) The payment of expenses of office-bearers of the Association. 3) The payment of expenses for the administration of the Association including the audit of accounts. 4) The expenses in prosecution or defence of any legal proceeding to which the Associa tion is a part\ . undertaken for the purpose of securing or protecting any rights of the traders. 5) The conduct of trade disputes on behalf of Association. 6) The expenses of educating the members on the issues of trade. 7) The expense of subscriptions to journals, magazines, newspapers etc. published mainly for the purjiose of discussing questions affecting the trading community. 8) The expenses of seminars, workshops, industrial visits, trade fairs etc. which are useful to the members. 9) Any other expenses incurred for the benefit of members.
The important functions of the Merchants Association can be descnbed as follows: 1) To safeguard the interests of the member-traders.
95 2) To take collective decision and action for the benefit of the members. 3) To participate as employers’ representative in the collective bargaining process for the purpose of revising the wage-rates of the women workers and non-rotation hamals work ing in the Lasalgaon market. 4) To settle disputes amongst the members on the issues related with the trade. 5) To act in the direction of maintening harmonious relations among the members. 6) To educate the members in respect of various mercantile and labour laws which are concerned with the trading activities.
96 Table 2.1 Total Arrival of Agricultural Produce (1971-72 to 2000-01) Base Year : 1971-72 (Quantity in '000 quintals)
Year Total Quantity of Index Number % Variation of Arrivals of Arrivals of Arrivals Index
1971-72 1410.00 100.00 - 1972-73 1362.00 96.60 -3 .4 0 1973-74 1576.00 111.77 + 15.70 1974-75 1557.00 110.48 -1.15 1975-76 1853.00 131.41 + 18.94 1976-77 1800.00 127.65 -2 .9 7 1977-78 2081.00 147.58 + 15.61 1978-79 2063.00 146.31 -00.86 1979-80 2162.00 153.33 + 4.79 1980-81 2568.00 182.12 + 18.77 1981-82 2345.00 166.31 -9.51 1982-83 2075.00 147.16 - 11.51 1983-84 2729.00 193.54 + 31.52 1984-85 3001.00 212.83 + 9.96 1985-86 2906.00 206.09 - 3.17 1986-87 2090.00 148.22 -2 8.07 1987-88 3021.00 214.25 + 44.54 1988-89 3224,00 228.65 + 6.72 1989-90 2838.00 201.27 -11.97 1990-91 3625.00 257.09 + 27.73 1991-92 3983.00 282.48 + 9.87 1992-93 4207.00 298.36 + 5.62 1993-94 3923.00 278.22 -6.75 1994-95 4225.00 299.64 + 7.69 1995-96 2772.00 196.59 - 34.39 1996-97 3101.00 219.92 + 11.88 1997-98 2271.00 161.06 -2 3 .4 0 1998-^9 2165.00 153.54 -4 .6 6 1999-2000 3297.00 233.82 + 52.28 2000-2001 3030.00 214.89 + 8.10 Source : Office of the A.P.M.C. Lasalgaon. 97 Table 2.2 Value of Agricultural Produce ( 1971-72 to 2000-01 ) (Value in Lakhs Rs.)
Year Total Value Index Number % Variation o f Value in value Index (Base Year 1971-72) 1971-72 580.22 100.00 - 1972-73 656.09 113.07 + 13.07 1973-74 909.86 156.81 + 38.68 1974-75 921.27 158.78 + 01.25 1975-76 1011.61 174.24 + 09.73 1976-77 1365.69 235.37 + 35.08 1977-78 1246.10 214.76 - 08.75 1978-79 1463.38 252.21 + 17.43 1979-80 1675.05 288.69 + 14.46 1980-81 1962.89 338.30 + 17.18 1981-82 2153.26 371.11 + 09.69 1982-83 2182.47 376.14 + 01.35 1983-84 2256.02 388.82 + 03.37 1984-85 2681.57 462.16 + 18.86 1985-86 2920.05 503.26 + 08.89 1986-87 3243.49 559.01 + 11.07 1987-88 4473.16 770.94 + 37.91 1988-89 4017.46 692.40 -10.18 1989-90 3408.92 587.52 - 15.14 1990-91 8462.67 1458.52 + 165.27 1991-92 5313.02 915.69 - 37.21 1992-93 10167.58 1752.36 ' + 91.37 1993-94 12810.50 2207.86 + 25.99 1994-95 11337.33 1953.97 -11.49 1995-96 9533.39 1643.06 -15.91 1996-97 9506.67 1638.45 - 00.28 1997-98 16044.60 2765.26 + 68.77 1998-99 11577.68 1995.39 -2 7 .8 4 1999-2000 9964.69 1717.39 - 13.93 2000-2001 12757.17 2198.67 + 28.02 Source : Office of the A.P.M.C. Lasalgaon. 98 Table 2.3 Quantity and Value of Total Arrivals and Onion Arrivals in Lasalgaon Market ( 1971-72 to 2000-01) (Quantity in '000 quintals ) ( Value in Lakhs Rs.) Year Total Total Arrivals Value Onion Arrivals Onion Value
1971-72 1410.00 580.22 1244.00 ( 88.22 ) 386.78 (6 6 .6 6 ) 1972-73 1362.00 656.09 1245.00 (91.40) 466.11 (71.04) 1973-74 1576.00 909.86 1433.00 (90.92 ) 608.16 (66.84) 1974-75 1557.00 921.27 1406.00 (9 0.30 ) 564.96 (61.32) 1975-76 1853.00 1011.61 1628.00 ( 87.85 ) 644.71 ( 63.73 ) 1976-77 1800.00 1365.69 1539.00 ( 85.50 ) 906.09 (66.34) 1977-78 2081.00 1246.10 1820.00 (87.45 ) 836.54 (67.13) 1978-79 2063.00 1463.38 1780.00 ( 86.28 ) 1014.23 (69.30) 1979-80 2162.00 1675.50 1862.00 (86.12) 1092.32 (65.19) 1980-81 2568.00 1962.89 2332.00 (90.80 ) 1347.26 (68.63 ) 1981-82 2345.00 2153.26 2069.00 ( 88.23 ) 1603.32 (74.46) 1982-83 2075.00 2182.47 1822.00 ( 87.80 ) 1622.27 ( 74.33 ) 1983-84 2729.00 2256.02 2414.00 ( 88.45 ) 1561.00 (61.07) 1984-85 3001.00 2681.57 2641.00 ( 88.00 ) 1908.51 (71.17) 1985-86 2906.00 2920.05 2643.00 (90.01 ) 2236.45 (76.58) 1986-87 2090.00 3243.49 1873.00 (89.61 ) 2693.83 ( 83.05 ) 1987-88 3021.00 4473.16 2654.00 ( 87.85 ) 3578.73 ( 80.00) 1988-89 3224.00 4017.46 2895.00 (89.79 ) 3081.55 (76.70) 1989-90 2838.00 3408.92 2562.00 (9 0 .2 7 ) 2629.09 (77.12) 1990-91 3625.00 8462.67 3317.00 (91.50) 7418.74 (87.66) 1991-92 3983.00 5313.02 3773.00 ( 94.70) 4226.88 (79.55 ) 1992-93 4207.00 10167.58 3881.00 ( 92.25 ) 8865.74 (87.19) 1993-94 3923.00 12810.50 3622.00 ( 92.35 ) 11236.27 (87.71 ) 1994-95 4225.00 11337.33 4023.00 (95.21 ) 10440.54 (92.08 ) 1995-96 2772.00 9533.39 2608.00 (94.08 ) 8477.33 ( 88.92) i 996-97 3101.00 9506.67 2694.00 ( 86.87 ) 7197.35 (75.70) 1997-98 2271.00 16044.60 2160.00 (95.11 ) 15337.67 ( 95.59 ) 1998-99 2165.00 11577.68 1788.00 ( 82.58 ) 9578.11 ( 82.72 ) 999-2000 3297.00 9964.69 2942.00 ( 89.23 ) 7779.17 (78.06) 2000-2001 3030.00 12757.17 2723.00 ( 89.86 ) 10992.27 (86.16) Figures in the bracket show percentage proportion to total arrivals and total value Source : Office o f the A .P.M.C. Lasalgaon. 99 1^^ S I 9 9
Table 2.4 Arrivals of Onion and Yearly Variations ( 1971-72 to 2000-01)
Year Arrivals of Index Number % Variation in Onion (Base year 1971-72) Index Number 1 2 4 1971-72 1244.00 100.00 - 1972-73 1245.00 100.08 + 00.08 1973-74 1433.00 115.19 + 15.09 1974-75 1406.00 113.02 -01.88 1975-76 1628.00 130.86 + 06.32 1976-77 1539.00 123.71 -05.46 1977-78 1820.00 146.30 + 18.26 1978-79 1780.00 143.08 -0 2 .2 0 1979-80 1862.00 149.67 + 04.60 1980-81 2332.00 187.45 + 25.24 1981-82 2069.00 166.31 - 11.27 1982-83 1822.00 146.46 - 11.93 1983-84 2414.00 194.05 + 32.49 1984-85 2641.00 212.29 + 09.39 1985-86 2643.00 212.45 + 00.07 1986-87 1873.00 150.46 -29.17 1987-88 2654.00 213.34 + 41.79 1988-89 2895.00 232.71 + 09.07 1989-90 2562.00 205.94 - 11.50 1990-91 3317.00 266.63 + 29.46 1991-92 3772.00 303.21 + 13.71 1992-93 3881.00 311.97 + 02.88 1993-94 3622.00 291.15 -06.67 1994-95 4023.00 323.39 + 11.07 1995-96 2608.00 209.64 -35.17 1996-97 2694.00 216.55 + 03.29 1997-98 2160.00 173.63 - 19.81 1998-99 1788.00 143.72 - 17.22. 1999-2000 2942.00 236.49 + 64.54 2000-2001 2723.00 218.89 - 07.44 Source : Office of the A.P.M.C. Lasalgoon. 100 Table 2.5 Value of Onion Arrivals ( 1971-72 to 2000-01) ( Value in Lakhs Rs.) Year Value o f Onion Index Number % Variation in (Base year 1971-72) Index Number
1971-72 386.78 100.00 1072-73 466.11 120.51 + 20.51 1973-74 608.16 157.23 + 30.47 1974-75 564.96 146.06 -07.13 1975-76 644.71 166.68 + 12.41 1976-77 906.09 234.26 + 40.54 1977-78 836.54 216.28 -0 7 .6 7 1978-79 1014.23 262.22 + 21,24 1979-80 1092.32 282.41 + 07,69 1980-81 1347.26 348.32 + 23,33 1981-82 1603.32 414.53 + 19,00 1982-83 1622.27 419.42 + 01,17 1983-84 1561.00 403.58 -0 3 ,7 7 1984-85 1908.51 493.43 + 22,26 1985-86 2236.45 578.22 + 17.18 1986-87 2693.83 696.47 + 20.45 1987-88 3578.73 925.26 + 32.84 1988-89 3081.55 796,71 - 13.89 1989-90 2629.09 679.73 -12.64 1990-91 7418.74 1918.07 + 182.18 1991-92 4226.88 1092.93 -43.01 1992-93 8865.74 2292.19 + 106.33 1993-94 11236.27 2905.08 + 26.73- 1994-95 10440.54 2699.34 - 07.08 1995-96 8477.33 2191,77 - 18.80 1996-97 7197.35 1860.83 -1 5.09 1997-98 15337.67 3965,47 + 113.10 1998-99 9578.11 2476,37 -37.55 1999-2000 7779.17 2011,26 - 18,78 2000-2001 10992.27 2841.99 + 41,30
Source : Office o f the A.P.M.C. Lasalgaon.
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Lasalgaon. 104 Table 2.9 Number of Licenced Traders and Commission Agents Year Traders Commission A Class B Class C Class Agents 1947-48 10 41 08 1948-49 30 71 28 1949-50 56 250 253 47 1950-51 51 253 315 44 1951-52 40 210 260 52 1952-53 34 245 379 42 1953-54 44 246 419 40 1954-55 68 182 497 40 1955-56 137 70 549 46 1956-57 56 178 511 38' 1957-58 166 108 527 56 1958-59 237 25 568 54 1959-60 219 35 622 48 1960-61 222 39 660 45 1961-62 216 46 720 43 1962-63 201 42 1963-64 225 46 1964-65 273 41 1965-66 277 35 1966-67 286 37 1967-68 208 71 630 37 1968-69 189 93 444 40 1969-70 190 106 617 39. 1970-71 199 82 545 36 1971-72 223 99 579 38 1972-73 216 163 654 33 1973-74 222 135 689 34 105 Table 2.9(Cont.) Number of Licenced Traders and Commission Agents Year Traders Commission A Class B Class C Class Agents 1974-75 220 140 675 34 1975-76 212 139 642 34 1976-77 252 151 638 34 . 1977-78 243 133 531 37 1978-79 266 103 739 42 1979-80 280 96 702 47 1980-81 280 76 506 49 1981-82 289 54 309 52 1982-83 337 55 411 48 1983-84 292 55 281 51 1984-85 298 62 305 54 1985-86 267 49 235 60 1986-87 258 52 339 58 1987-88 294 73 641 65 1988-89 282 73 598 66 1989-90 278 54 684 63 . 1990-91 303 49 323 74 1991-92 348 45 270 87 1992-93 320 29 260 97 1993-94 324 32 251 103 1994-95 362 26 320 124 1995-96 337 20 483 131 1996-97 268 07 255 104 1997-98 291 05 310 107 1998-99 330 07 276 144 1999-2000 174 04 58 129 2000-2001 179 04 151 122 Source : Office of the A.PM.C. Lasalgaon. 106 Table 2.10 Number of Traders and commission Agents Actually Functioning Year A Class Traders Commission Agents 1974-75 45 13 1975-76 34 14 1976-77 55 16 1977-78 51 17 1978-79 54 22 1979-80 53 23 1980-81 52 23 1981-82 53 23 1982-83 91 23 1983-84 64 23 ■ 1984-85 67 24 1985-86 67 30 1986-87 58 28 1987-88 60 33 1988-89 71 32 1989-90 70 32 1990-91 72 44 1991-92 65 47 1992-93 66 48 1993-94 66 51 1994-95 61 62 1995-96 58 60 1996-97 62 51 1997-98 66 50 1998-99 70 52 1999-2000 72 54 2000-2001 75 56 Source ; Marchanls Association, Lasalgaon. 107 Table 2.11 Rates of commission ( Andat) for Onion Year Rate per Rs. 100 o f sales value 1958-59 to 1967-68 Rs. 1.25 1968-69 to 1977-78 Rs. 1.50 1978-79 to 1983-84 Rs. 2.00 1984-85 to 1989-90 Rs. 2.50 1990-91 to 1994-95 Rs. 3.00 1995-96 to till today Rs. 4.00 Source : Office o f the A.P.M.C. Lasalgaon. 108-^O(NfN(NrMrv)^'^Tt(N(N00C>2;2^2l —