A Study on Price Behaviour of Major Cereals in Gujarat

In present study an attempt has been made to examine the price behaviour i.e. growth, instability and seasonality of major cereals in Gujarat viz. wheat, maize, sorghum and pearl millet. The weekly wholesale prices prevailing in the major three markets for each respective crop were collected from 2004 to 2014. The empirical findings had shown the considerable price fluctuation and degree of variability from year to year. The degree of instability was recorded higher in sorghum crop. Linear and quadratic models were estimated to measure the trend over the years. The compound growth rates of increase in prices of crops under study were found statistical significant during the study period. There was found moderate range of fluctuation in inter year prices of all cereals while in case of sorghum the variability was found higher, whereas prices of wheat revealed least degree of irregular fluctuations compare to other crops. The outcome of the study calls for appropriate interventions to minimise price risk and to enhance farm incomes of cereals farmers in Gujarat in sustainable manner.