ECONOMIC TRENDS

Agricultural Marketing and Co-operation.

Yeotmal district has a long tradition of regulated markets beginning With 1898 when the first market was established at Yeotmal. This was followed by the establishment of markets at Wani (1916), Pandharkawada (1917), Ghatanji (1920), Pusad (1922), Darwha (1921), Digras (1923), Umarkhed (1928) and Bori-Arab (1936). These markets were primarily established by enterprising traders. The participation of the agriculturist in the marketing organisation was almost absent. The working of the market was not satisfactory and it did not secure the confidence of the average agriculturist. The code of regulation was hardly conducive to the growth of organised marketing.

Agricultural produce, continued to be sold with the help of middlemen whose methods exposed the agriculturist to ingenious malpractices and deception. The agriculturist used to sell his produce immediately at the time of harvest under duress. The traders used to exploit the poverty of the agriculturist and quote lower prices. Besides, a number of deductions were made from the sales proceeds. This state of affairs could not be tolerated in a Welfare State, and hence agricultural marketing was brought under regulation. A general assessment of the situation will reveal that there is a striking progress in the fields of agricultural marketing and co-operation.

At present there are regulated markets [For details regarding regulated markets refer Chapter 6, Section 11, wherein a vivid account of the same is given.] at Yeotmal, Wani. Pusad, Darwha, Pandharkawada, Ghatanji. Umarkhed, Digras and Bori-Arab.

Under the present pattern of regulation and control over agricultural marketing in the district, the agriculturist gets the benefits in the form of assured prices, immediate payment of the sales proceeds, and protection against exploitation from traders. This has a healthy effect on the incentive to produce more. The rules provide for a machinery for redress of grievances as well.

Another important trend as regards agricultural marketing is the progress of the co-operative marketing movement in the district. The importance of the sale of produce through cooperative societies has been widely realized in the district. A number of marketing co-operative societies and co-operative sale unions have been established in the district [For details regarding the number and turnover of Co-operitive Societies, and other information refer section on Co-operative Marketing in Chapter 6.]. These societies and unions purchase agricultural produce from the agriculturists and sell it to traders. In this process they offer better prices to the farmers. This has a beneficial effects on the prices offered by private traders to the farmers.

Besides the field of agricultural marketing, the co-operative movement has achieved remarkable progress in the fields of credit, supply of agricultural requisites, distribution of improved seeds, etc. The movement has been a great boon to cottage industries and craftsmen who are in dire need of finance. The service co-operatives of craftsmen help them to acquire the much needed finance, raw materials, appliances, and also to sell the products. All these services rendered by the co-operatives are invaluable for the existence and progress of cottage industries [Refer section on Co-operative Movement given in Chapter 6, Section I, tin-details.].

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