E-NAM Platform
Context:
- Since 31stMarch 2018, 415 new mandis have been integrated on National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) platform. As on 31st December 2021, 1000 mandis of 18 States and 03 Union Territories have been integrated with e-NAM platform.
- More than 1.72 Crore farmers and 2 lakh traders have registered themselves on e-NAM platform.
Government provides following support under e-NAM scheme:
- e-NAM software is provided to States / UTs free of cost.
- Department gives grant as one-time fixed cost to the States / UTs up to Rs. 75.00 lakh per mandi, for purchase of hardware, internet connection, assaying equipment and related infrastructure including cleaning, grading and packaging facilities and Bio-compost unit, to make the mandi ready for integration with e-NAM platform.
- A trained staff (Mandi Analyst) is deputed at each mandi, for an initial period of one year to provide day to day hand holding support to stakeholders and train other mandi staff.
- Regular training of stakeholders (Farmers, Traders, FPOs, Mandi staff etc) are conducted to create awareness and handholding regarding e-NAM portal.
- As per the Union Budget Announcement 2020-21, additional 1000 mandis to be integrated with e-NAM platform.
- The total budgetary outlay for integration of 1000 e-NAM Mandis since inception is Rs. 1171.93 Cr. Total 1000 mandis of 401 districts are utilizing e-NAM platform across 18 States & 3 UTs.
- In Karnataka, Kalaburagi district has 2 mandis integrated to e-NAM platform, namely Kalaburagi & Chhincholi.
What is e-NAM?
- e-NAM or the e-trading platform (online trading portal) for the National Agriculture Market (NAM) was launched by the Prime Minister of India, on April 2016.
- e – National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) is a pan-India electronic trading portal that nets the prevailing Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC) Mandis for making a united national market for agricultural commodities.
- The e-NAM project would operate via the online portal that is linked to the states’ Mandis (Wholesale markets). All the participating states will be providing the software (Website and Mobile Application) for e-NAM at no cost.
- Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) is the lead promoter of National Agricultural Market (eNAM). SFAC is formulated under the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare (DAC&FW). SFAC through open tender selects a Partner to develop, operate, and maintain the NAM e-platform.
Source: THE HINDU.