Basavaraj BanakarN.M.Kerur2016-07-222016-07-222007http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/69316In agricultural sector reforms, agricultural marketing needs an urgent attention, which acts as a catalyst for agriculture sector growth in the country. There are many policy reforms undertaken in regulated markets of Karnataka from time to timeIn spite of all policies perceived in regulated markets were not resulted in expected outcomes in the marketing system of agricultural commodities. Hence the present study is mainly concerned with the policy reforms and performance of regulated markets in Karnataka in general and north Karnataka in particular. Number of traders and other market functionaries were not increased in accordance with the increase in arrivals, therefore, the absorption of trade was mainly in the hands of few traders and market functionaries. The liberalization of markets may lead to better competition and increase in number of traders and other functionaries which may result in equalization of trade among the traders and increase in producers share in consumer rupee. The amount lent to beneficiaries under pledge loan scheme as percentage of total turnovers of regulated markets in Karnataka was negligible throughout the study period. Market wise performance indicates farmers utilizing this scheme were insignificant in selected markets. Hence, efforts should be made to popularize and allocate more funds under this scheme. Impact of policy change with respect to market cess was significantly influenced the arrivals and prices in general, but it was positive on jowar and negative on cotton and groundnut trade. In the market intervention policy it was found that maize was the major commodity purchased under revolving fund scheme. Improvement of market information system in regulated markets resulted in operation of markets independently without much integration among themselves. As revealed by the cluster analysis, payment for the produce, accuracy of market information, weighing charges, deceit in prices needs to be standardized for better market performance.Thesis