Farmers in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh Holding Back Some Mustard, Chickpea Crop for at Least Three Months

*New Delhi:* A study conducted by the Arth Policy Research and Advocacy Forum NCDX reveals that farmers of mustard and chickpea in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are now giving priority to separate sales. The study indicates that the decision at the time of sale is now based on farmers' own perceptions about their prices and the behavior of fellow farmers.

The survey respondents - 400 farmers - were selected from 32 villages in Madhya Pradesh and 82 villages in Rajasthan, representing approximately 46% and 57% respectively of India's chickpea and mustard production.

The study notes that farmers have stored their crops for at least three months after harvesting, but most of them sold it before the next crop.

Regarding mustard, about 34% of the marketable surplus was retained by farmers in Madhya Pradesh, while the share was approximately 70% in Rajasthan. In the case of chickpea, 69% of the marketable surplus was retained by farmers in Madhya Pradesh and about 77% in Rajasthan.

It is highlighted that compared to farmers in Madhya Pradesh, those in Rajasthan have taken more risk by storing both mustard and chickpea crops for a longer period. On average, they stored chickpea for 102 days in Madhya Pradesh (more than three months after harvesting in March) and 114 days in Rajasthan (almost four months after the crop). The study also indicates that the mustard crop was stored for about 107 days in Madhya Pradesh and 110 days in Rajasthan.