BULDHANA

Buldhana district in Maharashtra hosts a diverse range of agricultural and consumer markets. The primary trade hubs are the APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) wholesale mandis located in major towns like Buldhana, Malkapur, Chikhli, Deoulgaon Raja, Lonar, Mehkar, Sindkhed Raja, and Khamgaon. These markets operate Monday to Saturday from around 10 AM to 6 PM and deal in bulk quantities of grains, pulses, and oilseeds. Popular commodities include maize, soybean, Bengal gram, arhar (tur), bajra, and wheat. As of late June 2025, prices at these mandis have ranged from ₹1,800–2,100 per quintal for maize and ₹3,700–4,200 for soybean.

In addition to these wholesale markets, smaller tehsil-level mandis across the district play a vital role in regional trade. Markets in places like Lonar, Chikhli, and Deoulgaon Raja specialize in wheat, arhar, tur dal, and safflower. Malkapur mandi also handles spices and pulses, reporting prices up to ₹6,700 for arhar. These localized mandis allow farmers and small traders to engage directly in pricing and transactions with relatively flexible quantities.

Malkapur also hosts a well-known farmers’ market called Vidarbha Poultry and Hatcheries. This daily market offers fresh poultry, vegetables, dairy products, and local beverages. It's popular with individual buyers and families rather than commercial traders. Facilities like card payments and parking are available, making it convenient for retail customers.

Furthermore, weekly markets are a common feature across Buldhana's rural landscape. Villages such as Palsi Zasi hold bustling weekly bazaars, usually held on Fridays, where locals sell and buy fresh produce, grains, and household goods. These are vital for both economic exchange and social interaction in rural communities.

To stay informed on market prices, traders and farmers often rely on platforms like NaPanta and Agmarknet, which provide daily commodity rates and updates from across all Buldhana mandis. These tools help optimize crop selling strategies and keep producers aligned with market trends.

According to the Buldhana District Gazetteer (1976 edition), the region has a long-standing tradition of vibrant market activity. As noted in the gazetteer, there were 97 weekly markets across the district in 1910, and this number had increased to 104 by 1961, with several classified as regionally significant. These markets were typically held once a week in various villages and functioned as key hubs for local trade and community interaction. With the growth of agricultural regulation, most major produce, such as cotton, groundnut, sesamum, linseed, cereals, and pulses, was brought under the control of regulated markets governed by Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs). This shift aimed to standardize trade practices and protect both farmers and consumers. By the mid-20th century, Buldhana had developed a structured market system consisting of 13 main APMC mandis, one in each tehsil, along with around 20 sub-markets. The gazetteer captures how Buldhana's economy evolved from informal weekly village markets to a more organized and regulated agricultural trading system.

Khamgaon Bakri Bazaar is a prominent livestock market held every Thursday near Januna village, approximately 5 km from Khamgaon. This village is also known for the popular Januna Lake. Earlier, the market was located near the Krushi Utpanna Bazar Samiti on Akola Road before shifting to its current location.

The bazaar is well-known for the trade of various goat breeds, including Gavran, Kashmiri, Punjabi cross, and Osmanabadi. Among these, Totapuri and Kashmiri goats are the most expensive, with Kashmiri goats fetching prices between ₹30,000 and ₹50,000. However, most locals prefer the Gavran breed due to its adaptability and local demand. The general price range for goats in the market varies from ₹6,000 to ₹20,000.

The market experiences higher footfall during the summer months. Trading begins early in the morning and usually concludes by noon, attracting buyers and sellers from surrounding regions.

Khamgaon Kapda Bazaar, located in Tilak Maidan, is a well-known marketplace specializing in affordable clothing, particularly for women and children. Held only on Thursdays, it is regarded as one of the cheapest textile markets in the region, attracting buyers looking for budget-friendly apparel.

The bazaar offers a wide variety of garments at highly competitive prices, with T-shirts available for as low as ₹50 to ₹100. Due to its affordability and diverse selection, the market draws shoppers from Khamgaon and nearby areas, making it a bustling hub for textile trade.

Khamgaon’s Athavdi Bazaar is officially held every Thursday, though locals also recognize an informal market on Sundays. The bazaar is located off the main road leading from Nandura Road, with the entrance situated behind a sarafa (jeweler's) shop.

At the entrance, small vendors line a narrow lane selling leafy vegetables. As one moves deeper into the market, there are stalls selling suparis, chivdas, and cosmetic and jewelry items. A distinctive visual feature of the market is the use of yellow tarpaulin sheets (taadpatris) by vendors, creating a uniform and recognizable look.

The market also includes a fish section, where both fresh and dry fish varieties are available. The market serves as a vital commercial hub for residents of Khamgaon and surrounding villages.

One of the most important and well-known markets in the Buldhana district is the Malkapur APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) Market, located in the town of Malkapur. This market is famous for its large-scale trade in soybeans, cotton, pulses (especially tur/arhar), and spices. Farmers from across Buldhana and nearby districts like Jalgaon and Akola regularly bring their crops here for sale.

The market is organized and regulated by the government to ensure fair prices and transparency. It operates mainly from Monday to Saturday. Farmers bring their produce in tractors, trucks, or bullock carts, especially during the harvesting season, when the market becomes very crowded. Prices are announced publicly, and auctions are held on official platforms to make the process clear and fair.

In addition to wholesale trade, Malkapur also has a nearby retail market where people can buy vegetables, grains, and daily household items. The market area is supported by facilities like cold storage, agri-shops, weighing machines, and banks, which make it easier for farmers and traders to do business.