Seasonality Analysis of Sorghum Prices and Arrivals in Maharashtra

Background: Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) contributes to more than 60% of millets produced globally. In India, Maharashtra state is the largest producer of sorghum over the period of time. The present study was aimed to estimate the seasonal variation and trends of arrival and prices and price volatility by using advanced time series analysis. Methods: The time series data on monthly arrivals and prices of sorghum were collected from the major six number of APMCs markets of Maharashtra. The seasonality of arrivals and prices were analyzed by estimating seasonal arrival and prices indexes and intra year variability. Data used were pertaining to the period of 20 years i.e., 2004-2024. Result: Seasonality analysis of data indicated that all of the selected markets seasonal arrival indices of sorghum were higher than the price indices. The clear pattern of maximum and minimum arrivals and prices were noticed in most of the market. The peak arrivals of sorghum were noticed from the month march to June and the peak prices were seen from November to December with few exceptions. The estimated historical price and arrival patterns, fluctuations and trends of sorghum revealed that there is need of appropriate policy measures to ensure fair prices to farmers in order to increase the potential area and production of sorghum in the Maharashtra.