Arrival and price trends under regulated Wheat market at Bikaner district of Rajasthan

The marketing efficiency and economic profitability have been estimated for wheat crop in the regulated market at the Bikaner district of Rajasthan, based on the time series data for the past ten years drawn from four regulated markets, which cover more than 95 per cent of the total arrivals of the whole district. The study has clearly indicated that the annual prices of wheat increased significantly whereas arrivals in the market, though increased, were not significant. The monthly prices for wheat crop have also shown an increasing trend, implying thereby the growth of market. On the basis of seasonal indices, the study has revealed that the consumers can be advised to purchase wheat from Bikaner in August, from Nokha in October, from Loonkaransar in April and from Khajuwala in June. November-December is the perfect time for the sale of wheat by farmers, as observed in the study. It has been found that the cyclical movements in prices of wheat provide guidance to the policymakers. The study has concluded that operational efficiency of the mandi will increase and price spread will decrease if quantity of arrivals increases, which will results in the low marketing cost. Price behaviour guides the policymakers to make policy that would provide consumers the desired level of satisfaction, farmers the maximum profit, and market middlemen, the optimum margins.