Uncertain prices are expected for Kharif sorghum- UAS Dharwad

As per the price forecasts done by the Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell, Department of Agribusiness Management, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad for kharif Jowar, this year the prices of Jowar in Bellary market is expected to range between Rs. 1100-1200 in the month of September, Rs.1100-1300 in the month of October and Rs. 1300-1500 in the month of November, per quintal in Bellary regulated market.

The twenty years monthly price data of Jowar from Bellary regulated market was collected and analyzed employing rigorous time series models and the prices for Jowar for Bellary market for the months of September, October and November 2012 were forecasted.  The opinions of experienced traders of the crop in the market, agricultural scientists and progressive farmers of the region with regard to the prices that would prevail at harvest were collected to fine tune the forecast prices.  The prices in other major markets for the crop were also collected and government policies with regard to marketing of Jowar were considered to come up with accurate price forecasts.

The price of Jowar in Bellary market is around Rs. 1326 per quintal at present (September, 2012). Still then, price uncertainty at the time of harvest has kept the farmers guessing to decide about selling of their produce. Therefore, in order to help the farmers to come out of doldrums, the Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell (DEMIC) is striving hard. The minimum support price announced by the union government for Jowar is Rs. 1500 per quintal for this year. Since the prices in the market are expected to be less 12than MSP (Minimum Support Price), the farmers can take advantage of MSP and sell the product to government agencies, if they want to sell immediately. However, prices are expected to improve after November, 2012. Bold seeded, cleaned, well dried grains are going to fetch higher prices in the market.  So, farmers are advised to keep all these suggestions in mind while preparing the product for the market.