GADCHIROLI

Gadchiroli district, located in eastern Maharashtra, has a predominantly agrarian economy, and its markets play a crucial role in supporting local livelihoods. The region is especially known for paddy cultivation, and several towns host active wholesale markets (mandis) that facilitate large-scale agricultural transactions. Chamorshi stands out as a major mandi market, particularly for paddy, drawing buyers from across Maharashtra and even from southern states due to high demand. Other significant market centers include Aheri, Armori, Desaiganj (Wadsa), and Gadchiroli town itself, all of which handle considerable volumes of paddy trade during the harvest season.

The district grows different varieties of paddy depending on local conditions. Lighter paddy varieties are cultivated in areas like Armori, Kurkheda, and Korchi, while medium and heavy varieties are produced in Aheri, Gadchiroli, and Chamorshi talukas. As a result, key procurement and selling points have emerged in Kurkheda, Korchi, Armori, Dhanora, and Ghot, helping farmers access larger markets and secure better prices for their produce. In addition to paddy, local markets also trade in forest produce, pulses, and minor crops, reflecting the district’s mixed agricultural profile.

Allapalli, recognized for its rich biodiversity, was first noted by the British in 1867, with preservation efforts beginning in 1953. The village, with a population of around 18,000 to 20,000, has grown into an economic hub, attracting migrants seeking opportunities. A weekly market is held every Sunday, featuring vegetables, mutton, chicken, and fish, drawing traders and buyers from nearby villages such as Peramilli, Aheri, Ghot, Nagepalli, and Lagam.

A weekly market in Bhamragarh sees traders traveling 3 to 4 hours by car or boat to reach the area. Due to poor road conditions, even short distances, such as 10 kilometers, can take up to an hour. The market usually closes around 7 to 7:30 PM and serves people from Mulchera, Chamorshi, Gadchiroli, Laheri, Kothi, and Zareguda.

Chamorshi is home to a major mandi market known for large-scale paddy transactions, making it a key hub in the region's agricultural trade. Similar wholesale paddy markets are also located in Aheri, Armori, Desaiganj (Wadsa), and Gadchiroli, with strong demand coming particularly from southern states. In Gadchiroli district, three varieties of paddy are cultivated based on geography: light paddy is grown in Armori, Kurkheda, and Korchi, while medium and heavy paddy varieties are cultivated in Aheri, Gadchiroli, and Chamorshi talukas. Important paddy procurement centers in the district include Kurkheda, Korchi, Armori, Dhanora, and Ghot, reflecting the widespread and strategic nature of paddy cultivation and trade in the region.

Armori, located in the northern part of Gadchiroli district, is an important agricultural market town known for its role in the trade of light paddy varieties. Surrounded by fertile farming areas like Kurkheda and Korchi, Armori serves as a key collection and distribution center where farmers bring their produce for sale during the kharif season. The market is especially active during the harvest months, with paddy arriving from multiple villages in and around the taluka.

Light paddy cultivated in this region is well-suited for specific processing needs, and the consistent quality has helped Armori build a reputation among buyers. Traders from within Maharashtra and nearby districts frequently visit the market to procure large quantities, ensuring that local farmers have steady demand for their crops. In recent years, improved road connectivity and access to procurement schemes have further boosted Armori’s importance in the district’s agricultural landscape.

Beyond paddy, Armori market also facilitates the trade of pulses, oilseeds, and minor forest produce, reflecting the area's diverse rural economy. It functions not just as a selling point but also as a support center where farmers interact with agents, transporters, and government procurement staff.

Desaiganj, also known as Wadsa, is a significant commercial and agricultural market in eastern Gadchiroli district. Strategically located along major road and rail routes, the Desaiganj market serves as a central point for farmers from surrounding talukas such as Armori, Kurkheda, and Dhanora. The town’s accessibility has made it one of the more developed market centers in the district, drawing both sellers and buyers from within Gadchiroli and neighboring regions.

While paddy remains the dominant crop traded in the Desaiganj mandi, the market is also known for handling a variety of other agricultural and forest products. These include pulses, oilseeds, tendu leaves, and bamboo—resources commonly found in the forest-rich areas of Gadchiroli. During the harvest season, the market becomes a hub of activity as local farmers bring in their produce for sale either to private traders or through government procurement centers.

Desaiganj also benefits from better infrastructure compared to more remote parts of the district. The presence of warehouses, input shops, banks, and transport facilities makes the market more efficient and farmer-friendly. 

Aheri, located in the southernmost part of Gadchiroli district near the Telangana border, is a key agricultural market known for trading in medium and heavy varieties of paddy. Surrounded by rich paddy-growing regions, Aheri’s market becomes particularly active during the kharif harvest season, when farmers from nearby villages bring their produce for bulk sale. Due to its proximity to state borders, the Aheri mandi also sees demand from traders in Telangana, giving it strategic importance beyond the district.

The paddy grown in Aheri is typically of higher grain weight and preferred by large-scale rice millers. This has led to steady buyer interest and competitive pricing, benefiting local farmers. In addition to paddy, the Aheri market supports trade in other seasonal crops and forest produce, such as mahua, tendu leaves, and bamboo—resources that are widely collected in this forested region.

Despite being in a remote tribal area, the Aheri market is supported by basic infrastructure including storage yards, procurement centers, and transport facilities that link it to larger towns. It also plays an important social and economic role in the region, serving as a weekly gathering spot for trade, services, and local commerce.