Vol. 7, Issue 9, Part G (2025)

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), a vital pulse crop in India’s agrarian and nutritional landscape, plays a crucial role in food security and rural livelihoods. This study was conducted to analyze the seasonality and market integration of pigeonpea prices in major markets of India, including Kalburgi (Karnataka), Amarawati (Maharashtra), Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Junagadh (Gujarat), and Katni (Madhya Pradesh), using monthly data from January 2015 to December 2024. Secondary data on prices and arrivals were sourced from APMCs and the AGMARKNET portal. Seasonal indices were computed using the twelve-month ratio-to-moving-average method to explore price and arrival behavior, while stationarity of the time series was examined using Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) and Phillips-Perron (PP) tests. Market integration was assessed through Johansen’s cointegration test and Granger causality analysis to determine long-run relationships and price leadership among markets. The findings revealed that pigeonpea arrivals peaked between January and March, while price spikes occurred during June to October, confirming an inverse supply-price relationship. All price series were found to be non-stationary at levels but stationary at first differences, indicating I(1) behavior. Johansen’s cointegration results indicated strong long-run market integration, particularly among Kalburgi-Kanpur, Katni-Junagadh, and Amarawati-Kalburgi pairs. Granger causality tests identified both bidirectional and unidirectional price relationships, with Kanpur, Katni, and Kalburgi emerging as influential price-leading markets. Additionally, the study highlighted significant regional variation in arrival trends and volatility: Katni showed strong growth but high volatility, while Kalburgi experienced a sharp decline in arrivals. Kanpur exhibited stable supply patterns with steady growth, making it a key anchor market. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding seasonal trends and market linkages to enhance marketing strategies, support timely policy decisions, and ensure better price realization for pigeonpea farmers. Strengthening inter-market coordination, improving procurement and storage infrastructure, and addressing region-specific challenges will be essential to stabilize prices and promote sustainable growth in the pigeonpea sector.