Why is it in the News

With more states opening up or facilitating trade of agricultural commodities on the electronic -National Agriculture Market (eNAM), a spurt in trading among various markets within the state as well as at the inter-state level is being witnessed.

What is the National Agriculture Market (eNAM)?

• eNAM is an online trading platform dedicated to agricultural commodities in India.
• Launched on April 14, 2016, it is wholly funded by the Government of India.
• The Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), operating under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, takes the lead in implementing e-NAM

Objectives of eNAM:

• The primary goal is to enhance marketing opportunities for farmers by establishing a competitive and transparent price discovery system.
• It also facilitates online payment options for buyers, aiming to streamline the selling process for farmers.

Network and Structure:

• The NAM portal connects existing agricultural markets, including APMC/RMC market yards, sub-market yards, private markets, and unregulated markets.
• By creating a centralized online platform, e-NAM unifies agricultural markets nationwide for efficient commodity price discovery.

Key Features:

• • Farmers can showcase products in nearby markets, allowing traders from any location to provide quotes.
  • Single-window services encompass all APMC-related activities, including commodity details, buy-and-sell offers, and direct e-payment settlements to farmers' accounts.

• Facilitating Trade:
  • eNAM allows traders, buyers, and commission agents to obtain licenses from state-level authorities without physical presence requirements.
  • Quality standards and infrastructure for testing are harmonized in every market, including provision for Soil Testing Laboratories in selected mandis.
• Stakeholder Benefits:
  • Designed for the collective benefit of farmers, mandis, traders, buyers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and exporters.
  • Stakeholder advantages include transparent online trading, real-time price discovery, reduced transaction costs, and availability of commodity prices on the e-NAM mobile app.
• Additional Benefits:
  • Farmers receive details of commodity prices, quantity sold, and quality certification through SMS.
  • The system promotes a more efficient supply chain and facilitates warehouse-based sales.
  • Online payments are directly deposited into farmers' bank accounts, ensuring a seamless and secure financial transaction process.