<p>Mumbai: In a significant move to ensure fair market prices and increased income for farmers in Maharashtra, the state government has launched a Hedging Desk in Pune under the first phase of the Balasaheb Thackeray Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART) Project. </p><p>This desk will initially focus on cotton, turmeric, and maize crops. Over time, the initiative will be expanded to include more crops.</p><p>With the support of the National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) and its research wing NICR, this initiative aims to help farmers avoid losses due to market price fluctuations. </p> .<p>“It is a major step forward for the development of the agriculture sector,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday. </p><p>A formal agreement was signed on April 8, 2025, between NCDEX and the SMART Project for establishing this Hedging Desk. </p><p>Special focus will be given to FPOs and farmers in regions cultivating cotton, turmeric, and maize, particularly in Hingoli, Washim, Sangli, Yavatmal, Akola, Nanded, Amravati, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Beed.</p><p>The project is headquartered in Pune, and operations have commenced across the state.</p> .<p>Hedging and Options Trading in selected agricultural commodities are expected to deliver significant benefits for Maharashtra’s farmers. For instance, a farmer uncertain about future market prices at the time of sowing can lock in a price using options trading. This guarantees a minimum selling price, insulating them from market volatility. Ultimately, this helps farmers secure stable income, plan better financially, and feel more confident about investing in agriculture.</p><p>Hedging, like a fence protecting a farm, safeguards farmers from the risks caused by price fluctuations in the market. Its main purpose is to reduce the risks arising from potential price drops in the future. Farmers can also benefit from Options Trading, which allows them to lock in favorable prices.</p><p>Based on recommendations by the World Bank and the project implementation framework, the Hedging Desk has been established to provide training and guidance to farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) on participating in the commodity futures market.</p> .<p>Shielding Farmers from Market Uncertainty</p><p>Agriculture contributes 12 per cent to Maharashtra’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), yet crop production is still heavily dependent on nature. Farmers often lack price control over their produce, despite successful harvests. To tackle this uncertainty, the government has supported them through policies, modern agricultural practices, and crop insurance schemes.</p>
<p>Mumbai: In a significant move to ensure fair market prices and increased income for farmers in Maharashtra, the state government has launched a Hedging Desk in Pune under the first phase of the Balasaheb Thackeray Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART) Project. </p><p>This desk will initially focus on cotton, turmeric, and maize crops. Over time, the initiative will be expanded to include more crops.</p><p>With the support of the National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) and its research wing NICR, this initiative aims to help farmers avoid losses due to market price fluctuations. </p> .<p>“It is a major step forward for the development of the agriculture sector,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday. </p><p>A formal agreement was signed on April 8, 2025, between NCDEX and the SMART Project for establishing this Hedging Desk. </p><p>Special focus will be given to FPOs and farmers in regions cultivating cotton, turmeric, and maize, particularly in Hingoli, Washim, Sangli, Yavatmal, Akola, Nanded, Amravati, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Beed.</p><p>The project is headquartered in Pune, and operations have commenced across the state.</p> .<p>Hedging and Options Trading in selected agricultural commodities are expected to deliver significant benefits for Maharashtra’s farmers. For instance, a farmer uncertain about future market prices at the time of sowing can lock in a price using options trading. This guarantees a minimum selling price, insulating them from market volatility. Ultimately, this helps farmers secure stable income, plan better financially, and feel more confident about investing in agriculture.</p><p>Hedging, like a fence protecting a farm, safeguards farmers from the risks caused by price fluctuations in the market. Its main purpose is to reduce the risks arising from potential price drops in the future. Farmers can also benefit from Options Trading, which allows them to lock in favorable prices.</p><p>Based on recommendations by the World Bank and the project implementation framework, the Hedging Desk has been established to provide training and guidance to farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) on participating in the commodity futures market.</p> .<p>Shielding Farmers from Market Uncertainty</p><p>Agriculture contributes 12 per cent to Maharashtra’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), yet crop production is still heavily dependent on nature. Farmers often lack price control over their produce, despite successful harvests. To tackle this uncertainty, the government has supported them through policies, modern agricultural practices, and crop insurance schemes.</p>