Dr. D. B. KuchhadiyaF. P. Bhatt2017-04-032017-04-032005-10http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810006726The present investigation was undertaken with an objective to study price behaviour of major oilseeds i.e. groundnut, mustard, castor and sesamum of the Gujarat state. The data on various aspects for the period of sixteen years (1988 to 2003) were collected from the various sources. Coefficients of variation, Linear and Quadratic models, multiplicative price model, correlation etc statistical tools were used as analytical tools. Analysis of time series data revealed that prices of groundnut, mustard, castor and sesamum exhibited moderately high degree of inter-year variability and high degree of intra-year variability. There was moderately high fluctuations in year to year price change. All the oilseeds under study showed high increase (i.e. 7%) in yearly prices. The quadratic model was found to be better fit for sesamum and groundnut, while the linear model was found better fit for castor and mustard crops for the trend analysis. The compound rates of increase in prices of crops under study were statistically significant. The prices of groundnut, mustard, castor and sesamum increased at the rate of 5.22, 4.89, 7.65 and 5.52 per cent per annum, respectively. Castor prices increased at relatively higher rate, followed by sesamum, groundnut and mustard. The prices of all the four oilseeds under study indicated downward trend in post harvest period and upward trend in pre harvest period. The maximum value of the coefficient in seasonal variation was found in case of mustard (5.38%), followed by groundnut (3.78%), sesamum (3.69%) and castor (2.84%). The prices of groundnut and sesamum showed less degree of irregular fluctuations while the prices of mustard and castor showed comparatively high and violent type of irregular fluctuations. The values of correlation coefficient of monthly and yearly prices of oilseeds under study were more than 0.80 and were highly significant. The results indicated that monthly and yearly prices of these crops moved in the same direction.ennullPRICE BEHAVIOUR OF MAJOR OILSEEDS IN GUJARAT STATEThesis