Manoj Ahuja, the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, provided an overview of the progress made in the integration of Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) into the electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) platform.
As of August 31, 2023, a total of 1,361 APMCs from 23 states and 4 union territories have been successfully integrated into e-NAM. This integration encompasses 209 different commodities, creating a unified trading platform that benefits farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), buyers, and traders. One of the primary goals of e-NAM is to eliminate information asymmetry by providing key information, such as the quality of produce, to stakeholders in a timely manner. Secretary Ahuja emphasized that this transparency is crucial for both buyers and sellers, as it ensures fair and informed transactions.
To further strengthen the e-NAM ecosystem, an additional 28 mandis have been approved for integration, bringing the total number of mandis connected to e-NAM to 1,389. This expansion demonstrates the government's commitment to modernizing agricultural marketing and enhancing efficiency in the agricultural value chain.
Ahuja stressed the importance of efficiency and waste reduction in the agricultural sector from an economic perspective. He highlighted the need for a streamlined and effective value chain to maximize benefits for all stakeholders.
In his address, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Additional Secretary, Marketing Division, M/o Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, discussed the upcoming e-NAM 2.0. This advanced version of the existing platform places a strong emphasis on reforms in state agricultural acts, which are pivotal to the success of the upgraded system.
The workshop also featured presentations from three Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) that have been actively using the e-NAM platform. Churchu Nari Urja FPCL from Jharkhand, Maangani City Consortium from Tamil Nadu, and Jaivik Shri FPCL from Odisha shared their experiences, highlighting successful trades amounting to Rs 1.25 crore, Rs 1.44 crore, and Rs 2.68 crore, respectively. These FPOs' achievements underscore the practical benefits and opportunities provided by e-NAM.
The National Workshop on e-NAM 2.0 and Agricultural Reforms held on September 19, 2023, brought together various stakeholders, including senior officials from private organizations, banks, commodity exchanges, State Agriculture Marketing Boards, and the Department of Marketing and Inspection. This collaborative effort reflects the nationwide commitment to transforming agricultural marketing in India.
e-NAM initiative is managed by the Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, the e-NAM platform continues to play a pivotal role in the modernization and development of India's agricultural sector.
