Growth and Instability in Oilseed Prices – A Case of Amreli Market in Gujarat 

The growth and instability in oilseed prices in Amreli district of Gujarat have been estimated for the period from 1995-96 to 2016-17 using various statistical methods. The instability index suggested by Cuddy and Della was employed. Commensurate with the objectives of study, time series data on prices of major oilseed crops viz grown in the district were collected and compiled. The findings emerged from the study revealed a high level of instability in case of the sesamum black and white, but it showed moderate instability in the price of castor and bunch type as well as semi spreading varieties of groundnut. The results of correlation analysis indicated integration between oilseed prices. Higher association was noticed between the prices of the two varieties of the same crop. It was also observed that price of castor is closely related with groundnut than the sesamum whereas the lowest association was observed between prices of groundnut bunch type and sesamum white. Research and policy support is needed for raising productivity in the rain-fed areas and also for insulating the crop sector from year-to-year variations in price. The study has suggested that development of assured storage facility, market integration, market price forecast, agricultural practices, farmer-friendly insurance schemes and better weather forecasting would provide a sound shield to growth and price instability in the district.