📌 Why This Matters for Farmers
Understanding how mandi prices work, grading quality, and managing storage can mean the difference between loss and profit. This guide shares expert knowledge, easy learning insights, and farmer-tested strategies.
🧠 LEARNING INSIGHTS FOR FARMERS
1️⃣ What Affects Commodity Prices at Mandis?
| Factor | Explanation | Farmer Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Arrivals (supply) | When more produce reaches mandi, prices fall | Avoid peak arrival days |
| Festivals/Demand | Demand rises before festivals, raising prices | Time your sales for festivals |
| Weather events | Rains, hail, heatwaves affect supply | Plan harvest before weather events |
| Quality grade | Higher grades get premium price | Sort and clean your produce |
| Govt. Policies / MSP | MSP procurement supports price | Monitor MSP and procurement updates |
✅ Tip: Track local and regional trends weekly via apps or Mandi boards.
2️⃣ Quality Grading – Get the Best Price for Your Best Crop
| Grade | Description | Example | Price Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Grade | Uniform, clean, well-shaped | Polished wheat, uniform tomatoes | 🔼 +10–25% more |
| B Grade | Slight blemishes, mixed sizes | Mixed onions, uneven maize | Mid-range |
| C Grade | Spoiled, overripe, low weight | Rotted garlic, cracked rice | Rejected or low price |
✅ Tip: Pre-sort at farm. Use basic sieves, sorting trays, and clean packaging.
3️⃣ Storage Matters – Reduce Loss, Maximize Gains
| Crop Type | Ideal Storage | Duration | Common Issues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grains (Wheat, Rice, Maize) | Dry, airtight, cool godowns | 6–9 months | Moisture, rodents |
| Onion & Potato | Ventilated, dark storage, low humidity | 2–4 months | Sprouting, rot |
| Tomatoes, Leafy | Cold storage (0–4°C) | 7–14 days | Wilting, spoilage |
✅ Tip: Use jute bags, pallets, neem leaves, and low-cost drying agents like quicklime.
💬 Expert Q&A for Farmer Success
🧑🌾 Q: How can I know when to sell my crop?
Expert: Track mandi trends weekly. Avoid Mondays (bulk arrivals), sell mid-week or pre-festival.
🧑🌾 Q: Should I always grade my crop?
Expert: Yes! Buyers pay more for clean, sorted produce. Even small farmers benefit.
🧑🌾 Q: Is it costly to store grains?
Expert: No. Low-cost godowns, neem-based protection, and regular checking help reduce storage cost and loss.
📲 Quick Tips for Smart Marketing
✔ Use mandi apps like Agmarknet, eNAM, Harvest Track
✔ Ask commission agents about weekly trends
✔ Store part of harvest, sell part early – split strategy
✔ Sell during low arrival, post-rain or festive weeks
✔ Learn grading basics via Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) or FPO workshops
Conclusion
Better prices come with knowledge, timing, and quality. Adopt small changes, see big benefits.
🪴 “Farmer who understands the market is a farmer who earns from the market.”
🔖 Download this guide & share with your village group.
Powered by: Harvest Track Research, Gurgaon
🌐 www.harvesttrackresearch.com
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