How mandi commission and charges work: a farmer's guide to your patti
Every load sold at an APMC mandi gets reduced by commission, market cess, and other deductions before you're paid. Here is what each charge means and how to check your patti.
When you sell produce at an APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) mandi, the price the auctioneer calls out is not the amount you take home. A set of standard deductions is applied first, and the net amount is recorded on your patti (the sale receipt/bill issued by the commission agent, also called an aadhatiya or arthiya).
The usual deductions
- Commission (aadat): The commission agent's fee for facilitating the sale, typically a fixed percentage set by the state's APMC Act (commonly in the 1-2.5% range depending on the state and commodity, sometimes capped by rule).
- Market fee / cess: A statutory fee collected by the APMC itself, used to fund mandi infrastructure, weighing, and record-keeping. Rates and rules vary by state.
- Weighment and labour (hamali) charges: Charged for weighing and loading/unloading the produce at the yard.
- Other yard charges: Some mandis add cleaning, bagging, or cess amounts specific to that commodity or yard.
Why your patti matters
The patti is your proof of sale. It should show: the quantity sold, the rate per quintal, the gross amount, every deduction listed separately, and the final net payable amount. Under most state APMC rules, a licensed commission agent is required to issue this document, and it is the record you would need if a dispute over payment arises.
What to check before you agree to a sale
- Confirm the rate quoted matches what was actually announced during the auction/tender.
- Ask for the deduction breakup before signing, not after payment.
- Match the total quintals on the patti against your own weighment slip.
- Keep the patti. It is useful for loan applications, insurance claims, and government scheme documentation that asks for proof of a market sale.
BajarBhav.in's own commission calculator can help you estimate your net payout before you go to the mandi, using your state's typical commission and market fee rates.