The pattern and organisation of trade which generally depends upon the general economic situation and institutional framework have undergone considerable changes since the beginning of this century. The two world wars made a deep impact on the general economic situation. The pattern of trade during the Wars and the Great Depression bore an impress of the general international situation. Being a part of the British Empire, the fate of Indian trade was virtually linked with the situation in Great Britain. The process of economic change gathered momentum after Independence.

The pattern of trade in the past was based on the partly self­ sufficient economy existing then. The cultivators and craftsmen were economically backward and poor. The means of transport and communications were not adequate. Hence the needs of the people were adjusted in such a way that locally produced goods alone were consumed. Cloth, salt, cutlery, building materials and a few food articles were imported, while some foodgrains, fruits, etc. were exported. The volume of import and export trade was, much smaller than it is at present.

Now the Trade in agricultural produce is regulated under the Bombay Agricultural Produce Markets Act of 1939. The regulation of primary trade transactions at all the principal markets in the district was an important landmark in the history of agricultural marketing. This strengthened the bargaining power of the agriculturist and eliminated a number of middlemen and put an end to several malpractices inherent in unregulated trade. The market practices have been regularised and the possibilities of exploitation have been reduced. A number of co-operative marketing societies have been established recently. They act as general commission agents, and help the agriculturist in getting better prices. It is noteworthy that the co-operative movement has made remarkable progress in the field of agricultural marketing in Nasik district.

A very remarkable new feature of the pattern and organisation of trade is the introduction of an element of state trading in food grains. Under the system of monopoly procurement of rice and jowar, private trade in these food grains is totally banned. The Government is the sole agency for the purchase and distribution of rice, jowar and nagli. Besides, wheat and sugar are distributed through fair price shops.