REVIEW OF LITERATURE

A brief review of literature is an integral part of any investigation, as it

not only gives an idea on the work done in the past, but also provides the basis

of interpretation of the research findings. The investigation is designed to study

the important aspects of onion production and marketing. For the sake of

convenience the available related reviews are presented under the following

heads.

Profile of the onion growing farmers

Knowledge level of the farmers

Marketing behaviour of onion growers

Problems in production and marketing of onion

Suggestions by the respondent farmers in production and marketing of onion

Time series analysis

Correlation analysis

Regression analysis

Market integration

PROFILE OF THE FARMERS CULTIVATING DIFFERENT CROPS

AGE

Vijayakumar (1999) from his study on floriculturists of Bangalore

district indicated that 38 per cent of the rose growers belonged to the young age

group, whereas 45 per cent of them belonged to the middle age group and only

17 per cent of them belonged to old age group.

Karpagam (2000) conducted a study in Erode district of Tamil Nadu

state and indicated that majority of the turmeric growing farmers (70.83%)

belonged to middle age group.

Lakshmisha (2000) in his study on impact of cashew demonstrations on

knowledge, adoption and yield levels of the farmers in Karwar district revealed

that half of the farmers (50%) belonged to the middle age group, 27

per cent of the farmers belonged to young age group and 23 per cent of the

farmers belonged to old age group.

Babanna (2002) in his study on areca nut growers in Shimoga district

stated that 38.40 per cent belonged to old age category, 35 per cent of them are

middle aged and 26.60 per cent of areca nut growers were belonged to young

age group.

Vedamurthy (2002) in his study on management of area gardens and

marketing pattern, preferred by the areca nut farmers of Shimoga district stated

that about 25.33 per cent of the farmers were old aged, 40 per cent middle aged

and 34.66 per cent of the growers were young aged.

Sunil Kumar (2004) from his study on tomato growers of Belgaum

district of Karnataka state indicated that majority of the tomato growers

(53.30%) belonged to middle age group.

It could be inferred from the above studies that majority of the farmers

belonged to middle age group.

EDUCATION

Meeran and Jayasheelan (1999) in their study in South Arcot district of

Tamil Nadu state on shrimp farmers found that all the respondents were

literates and had received education beyond primary level. Among the

respondents, 42.0 per cent had undergone collegiate education and the

remaining respondents belonged to higher secondary (22.00%) and middle

school (16.00%) levels of education.

Nagoormeeran and Jayaseelan (1999) in their study in South Arcot

district of Tamil Nadu state found that majority (42.00%) of the farmers had

received education up to high school, followed by pre-university (22.00%) and

middle school (16.00%) levels of education, respectively.

Vijayakumar (1999) in his study on rose growers in Bangalore district

revealed that 22.00 per cent of the rose growers were illiterates. Large per cent

of them studied up to high school (42.00%), followed by middle school

(20.00%), pre-university college (11.00%), primary school (4.00%) and

graduation (1.00%), respectively.

Planiswamy and Sriram (2000) in their study to measure extension

participation of farmers revealed that majority of the farmers belonged medium

education level (53.06%) while 21.77 and 25.17 per cent of the growers

belonged to low and high education levels, respectively.

Dhamodaran and Vasant Kumar (2001) found that majority of the

respondents (35.83%) had high school education, followed by middle school

(25.00%), primary (16.67%) and collegiate educational level (15.00%).

Babanna (2002) in his study on areca nut growers in Shimoga district

revealed that as high as 44.20 per cent of areca nut growers had up to

4th standard followed by 39.20 per cent of the areca nut growers having

education level above 4th standard as against to that only 16.60 per cent of the

respondents had up to 2nd standard.

Vedamurthy (2002) in his studies on the management of areca nut

growers and marketing pattern, preferred in Shimoga district stated that

38.66 per cent of the areca nut growers studied up to high school level. Almost

equal percent of the growers were educated up to primary level (13.33%) and

college (14.66%) only 08 per cent of the respondents were illiterate and 06.66

per cent farmers are graduates.

Moulasab (2004) in his study on mango growers in North Karnataka

indicated that more than 23.00 per cent of the growers were educated up to

primary school followed by higher secondary school (19.16%) and 4.16 per

cent of them were illiterates.

OCCUPATION

Karpagam (2000) in his study on knowledge and behaviour of turmeric

growers in Tamil Nadu reported that majority of the respondents (71.66%) had

only farming as their occupation, followed by farming and dairy (11.67%),

farming and business (16.67%), respectively.

Patange et al. (2001) observed from his study conducted in Solapur

district of Maharashtra state that 70.62 per cent of respondents had farming as

main occupation and animal husbandry and dairy subsidiary occupation.

It also seen that 11.87 and 11.64 per cent of the respondents participated in

dairy business along with service and other business with farming, respectively.

Kulkarni (2003) from his study conducted in Rahuri district of

Maharashtra state revealed two-third families of beneficiary women (64.17%)

had agriculture as their main occupation, 15.88 per cent had service while

relatively small portion of the families of beneficiary women were labourers

(6.47%), 5.30 per cent were engaged in dairy and 5.88 per cent had business

and other activities as their main occupation, respectively.

Anita (2004) from her study conducted in Bangalore district of

Karnataka state reported that 3.33 per cent of farm women were participating

farming and subsidiary enterprises in addition to other sources of income. Great

majority of farm women (92.50%) were participating farming and subsidiary

enterprises while 4.17 per cent of them were dependent only on farming.

LAND HOLDING

Kumar (1998) in his study on knowledge, adoption and economic

performance of banana growers in Bangalore rural district revealed that

46 per cent of the banana growers possessed from 12.63 to 15.08 acres and 27

per cent possessed more than 15 acres of land.

Vijayakumar (1999) from his study on floriculturists of Bangalore

district of Karnataka state revealed that 75 per cent of the rose growers

belonged to small farmers’ category, followed by medium (23.00%) and big

(2.00 %) farmers’ category.

Angadi (1999) in his study in Bagalakot district of Karnataka found that

majority of the pomegranate growers (62.50%) had big farm size and only 6.25

per cent had lesser land holdings.

Karpagam (2000) conducted a study on turmeric growers in Erode

district of Tamil Nadu observed that 40.83 per cent of them had medium land

holdings and 31.66 per cent of them had semi-medium land holdings.

Lakshmisha (2000) in his study on impact of cashew demonstrations on

knowledge, adoption and yield levels of farmers in Mangalore district revealed

that 30 per cent of them had medium land size. Whereas, 27 per cent of the

farmers belonged to high land holding category.

Vasanthkumar (2000) in his study on knowledge, adoption and

economic performance of coffee growers in Vrajput taluk of Coorg district

revealed that majority of big farmers (53%) had medium level of land holding,

whereas, a considerable 48 per cent of the small growers possessed low level of

land holding of less than 3.2 acres.

Shashidhar (2003) from his study on socio-economic profile of drip

irrigation farmers in Shomoga and Davanagere district of Karnataka state

revealed that comparatively more number of farmers (46.67%) belonged to

semi-medium category, followed by medium (32.22%) and small land holding

categories (18.89%).

ANNUAL INCOME

Resmy (1998) in her study sustainability of coconut and banana

intercropping in Kerala an analysis revealed that 23.30 per cent of the small

farmers and 38.30 per cent of the big farmers had high annual income. Where,

11.70 per cent of small farmers and 35 per cent of the big farmers possessed

medium level of annual income. Majority of the small farmers i.e., 65

per cent of them belonged to low annual income level, whereas only 26.70 per

cent of big farmers belonged to low annual income category.

Vijayakumar (1999) reported from his study on floriculturists of

Bangalore district of Karnataka state that about half of the growers (51.00%)

belonged to medium income category followed by low (47.00%) and high

income category (2.00%).

Lakshmisha (2000) in his study on impact of cashew demonstrations on

knowledge, adoption and yield levels of farmers in Mangalore district reported

that majority of the farmers (53%) were high income group and nearly half of

them other farmers in low income category (47%).

Vedamurthy (2002) in his studies on the management of areca nut

growers and marketing pattern preferred in Shimoga district stated that

48.66 per cent of the areca nut growers have high level income, 34.00 per cent

of the farmers belonged to middle annual income category and 17.33 per cent

of the areca nut growing farmers belonged to below poverty line category.

Babanna (2002) in his study on areca nut growers of Shimoga district in

Karnataka revealed that 61.60 per cent of the respondents belonged to medium

income category while 23.40 and 15.00 per cent of them belonged to low and

high income category, respectively.

Sunilkumar (2004) from his study on tomato growers of Belgaum

district of Karnataka state found that majority of the respondents belonged to

medium income category (48.33%) followed by 32.50 and 19.16 per cent were

under low and high income category, respectively.

Shashidhar (2004) conducted a study on drip irrigation farmers in

Shimoga and Davanagere districts of Karnataka and reported that 49.17 per

cent of the farmers belonged to medium income category, followed by low

(26.67%) and high (24.16%) income respectively.

EXTENSION PARTICIPATION

Vijayakumar (1999) observed that less percentage of the rose growers of

Bangalore district of Karnataka state participated in extension activities like

field visits (31.00%) and krishimela (45.33%). Most of the farmers never

participated in group discussions, meetings and training programmes.

Angadi (1999) in his study on pomegranate growers in Bagalkot district

of Karnataka reported that majority of the respondents had not participated in

various extension activities (98.76%), group meetings (75.23%) and training

programmes (72.50%). Only 43.75 and 38.13 per cent of them participated

regularly in method demonstrations krishimela, respectively.

Sunil Kumar (2004) from his study on tomato growers of Belgaum

district revealed that nearly 23.00 per cent of respondents participated regularly

in agricultural exhibitions followed by 20.83 per cent in demonstrations.

Majority of them never participated in activities like trainings (66.67%),

educational tours (94.17%) and field visits (92.05%).

Shashidhar (2003) conducted a study on drip irrigation farmers of

Davanagere and Shimoga districts and revealed that 45.83 per cent of the

respondents participated in group meetings followed by exhibitions (41.66%)

and 18.33 per cent of them participated in krishimela.

The above studies revealed that, the majority of the farmers belonged to

medium level of extension participation.

MASS MEDIA UTILISATION

Damodaran and Vasanthakumar (2001) noticed that about half (53.33%)

of the respondents had medium level of mass media exposures followed by

40.00 per cent of them with high level of mass media exposure.

Vedamurthy (2002) in his study on areca nut growers of Shimoga

district of Karnataka state observed that relatively more number of growers

(48.00%) were medium mass media users, while 37.00 per cent were high mass

media users and 27.33 per cent were low mass media users.

Shashidhar (2003) in his study on drip irrigation farmers in Shimoga and

Davanagere district of Karnataka reported that 41.11 per cent of the

respondents belonged to medium level of mass media participation, followed

by low (35.56%) and high level (23.33 %) mass media users.

Sunil Kumar (2004) from his study on tomato growers of Belgaum

district revealed that 59.17 per cent of the respondents were occasionally

listening agricultural programmes in radio. Whereas, 30.00 per cent of them

viewed agricultural programmes in television occasionally and 70.86 and 85.00

per cent of them never used to read the newspapers and farm magazines,

respectively.

It could be inferred from the above studies that majority of the farmers

were having medium level of mass media participation.

KNOWLEDGE LEVEL OF FARMERS

More et al. (2000) in a study on impact of training of Krishi Vigyan

Kendra on knowledge and adoption of cotton cultivation practices by farmers in

Parabhani and Nanded districts of Maharashtra revealed that majority of

respondents (62.14%) had medium level of knowledge followed by high

(27.86%) and low (10.00%) level of knowledge about cotton production

practices.

Kubde et al. (2000) conducted a study in Pune of Maharashtra revealed

that large majority of the potato growers had complete knowledge about

recommended varieties (100%), time of sowing (95.50%), soil type required for

cultivation of potato (79.00%), seed rate (67.50%), name of pests of potato and

their control measure (54.00%).

Sriram and Palaniswami (2000) in a study on extent of awareness about

eco-friendly agricultural practices in cotton observed that 59.16 per cent of

cotton growers had medium level of awareness followed by high (25.84%) and

low level (15.00%). Eco-friendly agricultural production practices like summer

ploughing was known to majority of farmers (100%) followed by variety

selection, season in cotton cultivation.

Atchuta Raju and Radha Krishnamurthy (2001) conducted a study in

Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh on knowledge level of betel vine growers

observed that 66.67 per cent of the betel vine growers possessed medium

knowledge while 17.50 per cent and 15.83 per cent had low and high

knowledge about the recommended technologies, respectively.

Nagabhushanam and Nanjaiyan (2001) conducted a study in Karnataka

state on knowledge of eco-friendly practices among watershed farmers

indicated that majority of the respondents (71.11%) possessed the medium level

of knowledge on eco-friendly practices followed by 16.11 per cent of

respondents in low level of knowledge. The percentage of respondents having

high level of knowledge was found to be still less i.e., 12.78 per cent.

Sophia (2001) in her study conducted in Cuddalore district of Tamil

Nadu reported that 66.25 per cent of the farmers had medium knowledge level

followed by 17.50 per cent with high knowledge level and 16.25 per cent with

low knowledge level about sustainable cultivation practices in cotton. Whereas

80.00, 12.50 and 7.50 per cent had medium, high and low knowledge levels

regarding sustainable cultivation practices in sugarcane, respectively.

Nityashree and Jagadish (2001) conducted a study in Raichur district of

Karnataka state on the knowledge and adoption of IPM practices.

Among cotton growers of Raichur district indicated that 58.00 per cent of the

respondents had low knowledge level of IPM practices of cotton crop while

34.00 per cent of them had medium knowledge about the IPM practices.

Gupta et al. (2001) in her study on knowledge of the farmers about

improved cultivation practices of rice Jammu revealed that 62.00 per cent of the

respondents had medium level of knowledge followed by 20.67 per cent and

17.33 per cent had high and low level of knowledge, respectively.

MARKETING BEHAVIOUR OF ONION GROWERS

Subhash (1990) reported different technological, socio-economical and

infrastructural constraints coming in the way of exploiting full production

potential, storage and marketing of potato like ignorance of some components

of potato technology, high cost of time in the close vicinity of the village, risk

of damage of the crop in cold storage without any compensation for the same,

non-availability of cold storages in the rural areas to ensure the farmers to

market their produce at the remunerative prices and non availability of funds

with the farmers to meet high cost of cultivation.

Shivamurthy (1991) conducted a study on areca nut and cardamom

growers in Shimoga district of Karnataka state and report that the of the

cardamom growers sold their majority of the cardamom growers sold their

produce to the village traders (61.67%) followed by gardeners society (55.00%)

and to commission agents (32.50%). None of the respondents had given

cardamom to contractors.

Halakatti (1991) reported that majority of the farmers (96.7%)

experienced the problem of pest and disease which prevented them attaining

higher chilli yield. About 83 per cent of the farmers complained about the

problems of unfavourable climate condition. It was interesting to note their

difficulty in obtain required capital for chilli cultivation. Majority of large

farmers experienced shortage of labour, particularly during peak seasons.

The main constraints perceived by the potato growers in production

were lack of technical guidance, more pest and disease high cost of fertilizers,

high cost of plant protection chemicals, non-availability of seed materials and

non availability of fertilizers in time (Ravishankar, 1995).

Chandran (1997) in her study in Ernakulam district of Kerala state found

that majority of the tapioca growers (70.70%) sold their produce to the

consumer through the middlemen and 16.66 per cent marketed their produce

through the channel of middleman → processing unit → trader → consumer,

1.67 per cent sold their produce to the consumer through the processing unit

and no respondents sold the produce directly to the consumer.

PROBLEMS IN PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF PRODUCE

Kiresur and Ganesh Kumar (1998) revealed that absence of storage

facilities was the major problem expressed by 91.23 per cent of onion growers

followed by delay in payment of sale proceeds (89.47%), high commission

charges (84.21%), lack of cheapest transport facilities and inadequate

infrastructural facilities and civic amenities at the market both expressed by

70.18 per cent farmers. High charges of hamali (68.42%), lack of proper

grading facilities (61.40%) and faulty weighment system (14.04%) were other

problems.

Mohapatra (1999) stated that due to unavailability of storage godowns,

poor transportation facilities, lack of government support price for marketing,

the farmers were forced to dispose their produce at the lowest possible price,

non-availability of adequate institutional credit facilities at right time, compels

them to lend from money lenders and middleman at exorbitant rate of interest

which forced to sell at a predetermined price to the traders. Besides social

obligations (marriage and other ceremonies) which usually occur after harvest

season, were the other reasons for early disposal of the products at a lower

price.

Shah (1999) concluded that due to poor storage conditions in term of

ventilation, majority of the onion producers were seem to market produce

immediately after harvesting, various marketing intermediaries had certainly

taken advantage of this situation. This undoubtly led to unrenumarative price

offer for most of onion producers.

Subramanyam (1999) in his study on risk reducing and efficient

marketing strategies for perishable viz., fruits and vegetables reported that even

in regulated markets, the farmers were cheated in all aspects of marketing such

as weighing, commission charges, high labour charges, delayed cash payment

and by middlemen etc. This was the risk faced by the growers which made

most of all small cultivators to sell their vegetables to pre-harvest contractors.

Meeta Krishna (2000) while studying the role of vegetable marketing

federation in marketing of vegetables in Bihar reported that the problems of

vegetable growers regarding marketing of vegetables were manifold seen in the

characteristics of unorganized marketing, low prices, freight structure,

malpractice intervention of intermediaries, high and undue market margin, lack

of mechanical grading, storage facilities and link loads. A substantial portion of

vegetables are sold in the rural haats or periodical markets where most of the

buyers are compelled to sell their vegetables at low prices. This shows

monopolistic character of vegetable trade and imperfections in vegetable

marketing. For individual growers, it becomes difficult to sell his produce in far

markets.

Ravishankar and Katteppa (2000) conducted a study on potato growers

in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka state. They reported that 94.16 per cent

respondents faced the problem of lack of technical guidance, more pests and

more diseases, high cost of fertilizer, high cost of plant protection chemicals

and non-availability of fertilizers in time, were the problems faced by

90.00 per cent, 83.33 per cent, 85.00 per cent, 81.66 per cent and 68.33 per cent

of respondents, respectively.

Satendra Kumar et al. (2000) carried out a study on constraints causing

serious concern to turmeric growers in Udaipur district of Rajasthan.

They found that high fluctuations in the market prices, ‘unavailability of

suitable variety’, resource poor farmers, lack of cold storage and ware- housing

facility in the study area coupled with high cost of inputs were the major

constraints experienced by the turmeric growers.

Thayagarajan and Vasanthakumar (2000) conducted a study on

constraints to high yields in rice at farm level in South Arcot district of Tamil

Nadu. They revealed that lack of reasonable support price was found to be the

first important constraint by 36.33 per cent of respondents followed by high

cost of inputs was the second constraint expressed by 34.00 per cent of

respondents.

Waman and Patil (2000) reported that high cost of onion seed and

fertilizers was considered as major constraints for onion growers. Lack of

knowledge about recommended fertilizer doses, difficulty in identifying the

pests and diseases of onion, water shortage in summer, labour problem for

weed control, in effective and costly weedicides, had the production constraints

of onion growers. Labour problem during harvesting, lack of knowledge about

improved storage structure, lack of knowledge about grading, open auction sale

leading to less market price, low price and fluctuation in market price, irregular

purchase of onion by NAFED were the marketing problems faced by growers.

Mukule et al. (2001) conducted a study on constraints in adoption of

chilli technology in Nanded district of Maharashtra. They observed that

majority of the respondents (93.33%) experienced the constraint insecticides

and pesticides were costly followed by fluctuation of prices of chilli (86.00%).

Sunil Kumar (2004) in his study on tomato growers in Belgaum district

of Karnataka reported that majority of the farmers (75.83%) faced the problem

of lack of technical knowledge and guidance about improved cultivation

practices as well as post-harvest technology. Whereas, 65.00 per cent of them

faced the problem of high fluctuation in market price, followed by

transportation cost (62.53%), labour shortage and high wages (55.83%) and

lack of irrigation facilities and power shortage (46.66%).

SUGGESTIONS BY THE RESPONDENT FARMERS IN PRODUCTION

AND MARKETING OF ONION

Patil and Jadhav (1987) suggested that all the onion produce should be

purchased by the NAFED, certain quantity of the onion be exported to foreign

countries and recent production technology and critical inputs be made

available through concerned agencies.

Atibudhi (1998) concluded that the exploitation of farmers by the traders

can be minimized by strengthening the market committee, providing proper

marketing facilities, competent staff and strict enforcement of regulated market

act.

Shrivastava et al. (1998) suggested that high yielding variety be evolved

possessing the pest and diseases resistance and early in maturity, crop loan

facility should be timely and adequately, the price of fertilizers, insecticides and

fungicides should be reduced and the technical information should be given

well in time to the farmers.

Waman and Patil (1998) concluded that the extension functionaries had

to play an important role in pursuing farmers by frequent visits and

disseminating the improved onion storage technology by conducting

demonstration on farmer’s field trips.

Shah (1999) stated that to create chin in scientific onion storages in

different regions of the country, cut down upon post harvest losses in order to

meet increasing demand in the international market, marketing systems

encompassing onions also need improvement in the efficiency.

Mohaparta (1999) found that establishment of storage godowns in each

block head quarter and in the onion producing areas is necessary to get fair

prices for the produce in lean season, regulation of onion sale price should be

done by government through involvement of regulated market committee

(by NAFED) by establishing procurement centres so that exploitation by

middleman can be minimized, institutional credit facilities at right time should

be extended to the onion farmers on priority basis.

Yadav (1999) suggested marketing intervention by NAFED and other

co-operatives and government agencies need to be strengthened, need to

develop varieties resistant to diseases and adaptable to changing climate and to

improve yield of onion. The value addition in onion by dehydrating and

processing to make onion paste, there was need to orient our price policy

keeping in view the growing population, demand and market situation, onion

needs to be brought under essential commodity act of India on ad-hoc basis.

Sufficient buffer stock need to be maintained coupled with effective monitoring

and control of the stock at district level, the procurement price should be fixed

by the government to check the wholesale price. This would save the retail

prices from rising. A strong infrastructure to manage glut and shortage in the

market is required, were the suggestions offered to get rid of problems in

production and marketing of onion.

Waman and Patil (2000) from their study on onion growers of Solapur

district of Maharashtra state observed that concerned efforts of the extension

agencies working in the area growing onion crop were necessary to overcome

the problems faced by growers.

TIME SERIES ANALYSIS

Kunnal et al. (1980) analysed a long term and short term variations

in price and arrivals of Groundnut in Gadag and Ranebennur markets. Monthly

data on arrival and price were collected for the study. The study revealed that,

seasonal variability of price was less when compared to variability in arrivals of

Groundnut in both the markets. Both the markets are subjected to severe

fluctuations. Both the markets have shown an increase in trend for both arrivals

and prices. The farm harvest prices were mostly determined by the current year

price rather than from the previous year. No perfect relationship

between arrivals and price was ascertained as the coefficient of correlation

between arrivals and prices was negative and non-significant in both the

markets.

Miprannavar and Gumgolmath (1998) attempted to analyse the seasonal

indices of arrivals and prices of Potato in regulated markets of North

Karnataka. The data on monthly arrivals and price were collected from

Belgaum and Hubli markets. The long run trends in arrivals and price of Potato

for the selected markets analysed using tree years moving method. The study

concluded that average arrivals were highest in the month of November in both

markets indicating glut during harvesting season. However, the price did not

decrease during the glut season as majority of the traders purchased potato at

that time in Belgaum market, while there was a negative relationship between

arrivals and price in Hubli market.

Nahatkar et al. (1998) worked on price variation of Cotton in Kukshi

regulated market of Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh by considering secondary

data for a period of 11 years. The study revealed that, seasonal index of Cotton

price was lowest in the second quarter and maximum in third quarter. The

coefficient of price variation shows that, price rise was higher during first

quarter as buyers tend to attract more cotton growers to sell their produce at

lower prices. The data on cyclical variation indicated that, after every three

years the cycle of cotton prices changes, irrespective of variation in price in the

three quarterly periods revealing that within a year there is no sudden shortfall

or boom of cotton arrivals in the markets. The variation in arrivals in cotton

was found to be higher than that of variation in price.

Pagire (1998) made an analysis on arrival and price of grapes in

Maharashtra state. The data on arrivals and price of grapes were collected from

APMCs for a period of twelve years and were analysed to know the seasonal

fluctuation in arrivals and price with the help of indices. The study noticed that,

the arrivals of grapes in Pune market were observed at its peak in March and

lowest in June. The arrivals were observed drastically increased from

December to March. In Nasik market the arrivals were highest in February. In

case of price declining trend was noticed from January till March and thereafter

began to increase from April onwards in Pune market. In Nasik the prices were

observed to be stable. Variations were observed in arrivals and prices during

the period of twelve years. Definite trends in prices and arrivals were noticed

but for a limited periods, during the period of twelve years in both markets.

Shiyaini et al. (1999) in their study on time series of arrivals and price of

Garlic in regulated market of Saurashtra region of Gujarat of 1988-1998

revealed that the price of garlic was found relatively higher in mid and lean

marketing period than that in the peak period.

Patel (2000) in his study used time series data on price for a period of

1975-76 and 1992-93 obtained from six APMCs, Directorate of Economics and

Statistics Gujarat Agricultural Produce Marketing Board and Directorate of

Agriculture. The Study revealed that all markets have around 40-75 per cent of

the total market arrivals of Rapeseed-Mustard in peak marketing season.

Whereas prices were lower by Rs. 20 to 60.00 /q over mid and lean marketing

season in Mehasane district of Gujarat.

Praminder Singh (2000) adopted linear equation and moving average

methods to examine the trend as well as seasonal variation of arrivals

and price of Rapeseed-Mustard in Haryana from 1985-86 to 1995-96.

The findings of the study showed general tendency of rising, while the arrivals

indicated greater fluctuation from year to year in all markets.

Metha (2000) analysed the seasonality in price of groundnut and maize.

The results showed linear trend in maize price. The oscillatory movements

affecting the price were found to be regular in period and amplitude. There

existed a crop production periodicity of twelve months seasonality. Seasonality

index ranged from 5.0 to 5.9 implying that its supply and consumption were

nearly equi-spread throughout the year. Steep price fall after September

synchronized with crop attaining maturing in three months after sowing. In case

of groundnut research showed moderately increasing trend, the periodic

variations were of non-uniform cycle and amplitude. The long term

price behaviour was approximately linear and the cyclical trend was less

pronounced. Metha (2000) analysed the seasonality in price of groundnut and

maize. The results showed linear trend in maize price. The oscillatory

movements affecting the price were found to be regular in period and

amplitude. There existed a crop production periodicity of twelve months

seasonality. Seasonality index ranged from 5.0 to 5.9 implying that its supply

and consumption were nearly equi-spread throughout the year. Steep

price fall after September synchronized with crop attaining maturing in three

months after sowing. In case of groundnut research showed moderately

increasing trend, the periodic variations were of non-uniform cycle and

amplitude. The long term price behaviour was approximately linear and the

cyclical trend was less pronounced.

Yogish et al. (2007) in their study concluded that there was a mix trend

in arrivals and price of potato in all the selected markets. The data pertaining to

the study was collected for a period of ten years. The monthly seasonal indices

for arrivals of Potato, Onion, Ragi and Groundnut were found higher

immediately after harvest in all the markets and the price indices were found to

be maximum during lean period and minimum during harvesting period.

Hence, the dissemination of information on market arrivals and price

prevailing. Crops to be grown to the season etc. will result in maintaining

uniformity in supply and demand of the produce.

Gaganjot Singh et al. (2010) conducted a study on behaviour and price

of green Chillies in Punjab and collected information on the secondary data

pertaining to the arrivals and price for Amritsar and Patiala of Punjab.

The data collected by time series method for the analysis of trend, seasonal

variation, cyclical variation and the Fourier analyses were used for the study.

The arrivals and price of green Chillies have increased over the period in most

of the regulated markets showing the scope for expansion of green Chillies

cultivation.

CORRELATION ANALYSIS

Dikow (1988) studied on stochastic analysis on ground water flow in a

bounded domain by spectral methods. Saturated flow problem with

specially varying hydraulic conductivity is studied in a rectangular domain. An

expansion of the flow equation with respect to small perturbations of the

hydraulic conductivity is given. Discreate spectra are used to calculate the

expected flux across the outflow boundary and its variability.

Prakash and Shetty (2002) in their study Body Mass Index (BMI); is it the

ideal universal weight for height index, discussed the importance of Body Mass

Index in estimating the prevalence of obesity and chronic under nutrition and the

increased risk of morbidity and mortality associated with these nutritional status.

Zero order correlation coefficients of BMI and Benn index and Man power

function with body weights and heights in males (n=17,657) and female

(n=17,866) of different ethnic groups were worked out.

Verma et al. (2007) studied knowledge level of tribal pig owners about

scientific pig husbandry practices. Data was collected from 80 tribal pig rearers

of Jharkhand to determine their knowledge level about scientific pig rearing

practices. Majority of the respondents from nearby villages had medium (60%)

and high (40%) levels of knowledge whereas majority of those from remote

villages had low level of knowledge (75%). The zero order correlation

coefficient revealed that knowledge level was positively and significantly

correlated with Extension contact, annual income, size of family, land holding

and socio economic status in nearby villages as well as education and livestock

holding, land holding, socio economic status and annual income in remote

villages.

VARIATION IN PRICE DUE TO ARRIVALS (REGRESSION ANALYSIS)

Agarwal and Dhaka (1998) studied the relationship between the arrivals

and prices of spices of Rajasthan. The study revealed that arrival of chillies was

higher and the prices of dry chillies were also higher in February when the first

lots of few chillies arrived in the market. Price related the peak level in

September when arrivals were low. The pattern of market arrivals of

cumin and coriander seed also revealed existence of seasonality.

The correlation coefficient analysis indicated that relationship between arrivals

and prices of subsequent months was negative and significant; indicating

thereby that price effected the arrivals more in subsequent month of

corresponding months.

Chaitra (2000) studied the market arrivals and prices of groundnut in

Challakere for the period of 1990-1999. The results showed that the estimated

trend in arrivals of groundnut was statistically non-significant, while price of

groundnut shows steady increase, which was significant. The correlation

coefficient estimated for the monthly market arrivals was non-significant.

Therefore it was concluded that there was no definite relationship between the

arrivals and price of groundnut. The nature of association between arrivals and

price was negative for the lean period and was positive for the peak periods and

for overall period.

Navedkar et al. (2002) in their study on arrivals and prices of vegetables

in Gultekedi regulated market Pune (1978-79) observed that inverse

relationship between arrivals and mean prices. The correlation coefficient of all

the selected vegetables was highly significant at 1% level of probability. The

magnitude of correlation coefficient was the lowest to the extent of 0.61 for

Cauliflower and it was the highest to the tune of 0.90 in case of bitter gourd.

Chahal et al. (2004) in their study on relationship between market

arrivals and prices of onion. Indore market observed positive correlation

between arrivals and price from 1998-2002 and negative correlation from 1996-

1999, which indicated that increase in arrivals lead to the reduction in prices

and decrease in arrivals of onion lead to increase in price. Price of onion was

the lowest in the month of April followed by May.

Virenderkumar et al. (2006) studied the market arrivals and price

behaviour of potato in four metropolitan markets for the period of 1990-2001.

The results showed positive correlation coefficient for Delhi market for nine

years out eleven years. However, these are statistically non significant.

In Mumbai market the relationship turned out to be negative for seven years out

of eleven years. The coefficients were negative for Bangalore and Kolkata

markets. The negative relationship between market arrivals and potato price in

these markets Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata were statistically significant for

a single year only.

MARKET INTEGRATION

Ashalatha (2000) employed the co-integration technique to analyse the

theoretical long run equilibrium relation between economic time series.

She used the model to examine whether the domestic market was integrated

with the international market for cashew kernel. This explained the tendency of

domestic cashew price to move in unison with the international market prices in

long run confirming the law of one price (LOP).

Balappa Shivaraya and Hugar (2000) made an attempt to examine the

extent of price integration of onion and potato in selected markets of North

Karnataka. Zero order correlation and coefficient of variation techniques were

used. The correlation matrix of price of different markets was worked out to

know their integration. The results for onion clearly indicated the integration

among the selected markets with other markets. However, the magnitude of

integration was found to be higher between Belgaum and Raichur (0.9447),

between Hubli and Raichur (0.9439), between Belgaum and Hubli (0.9253) and

between Raichur and Gulbarga (0.8669) and Belgaum and Gulbarga (0.8393).

Pushpa (2007) studied the Indian export performance of Basmati rice

and revealed that although the trend was positive, it was not smooth and steady.

Therefore, there was a need to diversify the geographical concentration. In this

context, it was emerged from the study that there was ample scope for export to

USA, which is one of the important importers of Indian Basmati rice. The

estimated NPC with respect to USA indicated that Basmati rice is export

competitive and enjoys advantages in exports. The study also

revealed that domestic and export market (USA) prices for Basmati rice were

not integrated.