WASHIM

The Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Market in Karanja Lad, Washim district, is one of the most historically significant markets in India. Established in 1900 by the British to procure cotton from the Vidarbha region, it is reportedly the first APMC in the country set up to supply cotton to textile mills of the time.

Today, the Karanja APMC remains a key mandi for cotton and other field crops. Cotton lint continues to dominate trade, but the market also sees substantial arrivals of soybean, wheat, pulses, and grains. Its annual arrival value exceeds ₹700 crore, making it even larger than the Risod APMC.

The market operates daily and features large cotton lots and well-developed infrastructure. It has been upgraded under schemes like the Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure and Grading Scheme (AMIGS). The APMC generates surplus income and plays a vital role in supporting both local farmers and regional agricultural trade.

Karanja is particularly known for its fruit market, with papayas being the main highlight. Papaya cultivation takes place on the outskirts of the city, making Karanja a key distribution center. The market supplies papayas and other fruits across Maharashtra and even exports to countries like Nepal and Bhutan. During the harvest season (winter to spring), traders from various states arrive to purchase in bulk. The successful national and international trade of papayas has become a distinctive feature of Karanja’s market economy.

Located in Washim district’s third-largest town, the APMC Market Risod is one of the oldest regulated markets in Maharashtra, established in 1899. It serves as a major hub for upland crops, with key arrivals including cotton, pulses like tur and gram, wheat, turmeric (haldi), soybean, and other grains.

The market operates daily, handling both arrivals and auctions, and sees an annual trade volume of nearly ₹500 crore, according to official reports. Its large auction yard is active throughout the year, especially during the harvest season, when jute sacks filled with pulses and cotton arrive in large quantities. Farmers from surrounding villages regularly gather here, making it not only an economic centre but also a longstanding cultural focal point of Risod’s rural economy.

Manora, a town in Washim district, is known for its vibrant Wednesday haat (weekly bazaar). On market day, villagers from surrounding areas arrive by bullock carts, bicycles, and auto-rickshaws, creating a lively and crowded scene. Traders set up temporary stalls selling fresh leafy vegetables, spices, fish, and meat - much of it sourced directly from nearby farms and rivers. Alongside groceries, textiles and everyday consumer goods are sold from small shops lining the main roads. The bazaar is central to local life and trade, serving as a vital economic link between farmers and consumers. A key feature is the freshness of the produce, with supplies from the weekly market supporting vendors throughout the week.

Mangrulpir taluka hosts a wholesale agricultural market under the APMC system, commonly referred to as the Mangrulpir mandi. It primarily handles field crops and pulses such as tur (pigeon pea), jowar (sorghum), and wheat. Though smaller than the major markets at Risod or Karanja, it plays a vital role for farmers in Mangrulpir taluka. The market operates daily without a fixed bazaar day and includes basic facilities for auctioning, weighing, and transactions. Seasonal peaks occur during harvest periods, especially for pulses. It serves as a local hub connecting farmers to broader market networks across the district.

The town of Malegaon in Washim district hosts an APMC mandi (market), locally known as the Malegaon (Washim) market. This mandi primarily deals in foodgrains and oilseeds—especially soybean, Bengal gram (chana), and arhar (pigeon pea). A distinguishing feature of this market is its active livestock section, where goats, oxen, and buffaloes are bought and sold regularly. As of 2019, reported prices were approximately ₹9,000 for a goat, ₹50,000 for an ox, and ₹70,000 for a buffalo, indicating significant trade volumes. While grain transactions occur daily, livestock trading typically takes place weekly or on designated market days. The market serves the region’s mixed agricultural economy by supporting both crop and animal husbandry-based livelihoods.

The APMC Market in Ansing, near Washim town, serves as the main agricultural market for the district. Commonly referred to as the Washim APMC or Washim Bazaar Samiti, it operates daily under the state’s regulated mandi system. The market handles key staples such as turmeric, soybean, wheat, and other grains, playing a vital role in the distribution of produce from Washim taluka and surrounding areas. Equipped with modern auction yards, the market sees a steady flow of farmers every morning. As the district’s central trading hub, it attracts large crowds and inter-district grain traders, particularly during the harvest season.

Beyond the formal APMC system, Washim district also hosts traditional livestock markets that remain vital to the rural economy. One of the most well-known is the weekly buffalo (mhais) and ox (bail) bazaar held in Washim town, typically on Sundays. Farmers from across the region bring draft animals and dairy buffaloes for sale, drawing large crowds of buyers and onlookers. These markets are deeply rooted in Vidarbha’s agrarian traditions and function as major economic and social gatherings. A typical Sunday bazaar features rows of tethered animals, informal auctioning, and price negotiations. Activity peaks in the morning and winds down by afternoon. The scale is significant—often involving hundreds of animals—with prices fluctuating seasonally, especially before major festivals. Local media note that these bazaars remain key venues for farmers to upgrade or trade livestock essential for both farming and dairy production.