Mandi

Mandi is a term with multiple meanings in different regions. It can refer to wholesale markets for agricultural produce in parts of South Asia, a town and district in northern India, and a traditional Yemeni dish of meat and rice. The uses are distinct and originate from different languages.

In South Asia, a mandi is a designated marketplace where farmers bring crops to sell to licensed traders. Mandis are typically organized under state Agricultural Produce Market Committees and provide facilities such as weighing, grading, and sometimes storage and transport services. They function as nodes in rural supply chains, connecting growers with buyers and distributors, and have been the focus of policy reforms aimed at improving market access and farmer incomes.

Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, is a town and the district headquarters of Mandi district in northern India. It lies on the Beas River and serves as an administrative and commercial center for the region. The town is a transit point for travelers and goods moving toward the western Himalayas.

Mandi is also the name of a traditional Yemeni dish consisting of meat cooked with rice and spices. The meat, typically lamb or chicken, is slowly roasted in a pit or clay oven and served atop or alongside seasoned rice. The preparation varies regionally, but the dish is widely associated with Yemen and the Arabian Peninsula.