National Agricultural Markets (e-NAM): A Prize For Agriculture

The provision of marketing opportunities for farmers to increase their hold in the market and their profits as well as a long-standing need. However, transparency and accessibility were always two underlying concerns of every stakeholder in the supply chain process of agriculture. 

To address the rising need for a digitalised mode of agricultural marketing in the wake of the technological revolution, the government introduced e- National Agricultural Market. The promotion of marketing through an integrated digital mode has been undertaken by this initiative. 

What Is E-NAM

The National Agricultural Market (NAM) has been devised in an electronic or digital format, shortly known as e-NAM. The platform has been created as a move to integrate all the Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs), Regulated Marketing Committee (RMC) yards, sub-market yards, unregulated markets and other private agricultural markets at a national level.

The scheme aims to provide a common trading platform by grouping all such trading committees and markets and to facilitate trade across India. The scheme is a major move towards the promotion of agricultural marketing and the efficient functioning of such markets. 

The scheme was launched on April 14, 2016, and is entirely funded by the central government. The implementing agency is the Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC). 

Benefits Of The e-NAM Scheme

The scheme and portal have been launched to benefit the nationwide farmers, traders, buyers, processors, exporters and Mandis. Let us have a glance at the benefits of the e-NAM scheme enumerated below:

• Transparency: The working of the Mandis now happens through a common operational database which ensures transparency in work. The irregularities and hurdles that came with the individualistic working of the previous system have been done away with. 

• Accessibility: The accessibility of different APMCs and agricultural markets pan India has been made possible and easy through the e-NAM scheme. Online trading has enhanced access to the market. 

• Transaction Cost: The transaction cost for inter-state and intra-state agricultural trading has reduced significantly since the implementation of the scheme. 

• Dissemination of Information: The spreading of information and awareness has been made easy through the e-NAM mobile app. It serves as a one-stop shop for the dissemination of information to different stakeholders.

• Ease of Sale: The details of the transaction including quantity and price of a commodity are shared through an SMS facility and such price is credited to the bank accounts of the farmers directly. 

How To Apply For e-NAM: A Step-By-Step Guide

The procedure for a farmer to register and become a part of APMCs and in turn become eligible to avail of benefits of the e-NAM scheme is as follows:

• Users can register by clicking here.

• Choose “Registration Type” as “Farmer” and select the concerned “APMC”.

• Fill in the Email ID as you will receive a Login ID and Password through the same

• After registration, you will receive a Temporary Login ID & Password on the given mail address. 

• Log in to the Dashboard by clicking here.

• Users will find the “Click here to register with APMC” option. Click on it.

• Click on the Flashing Link which will redirect you to the Registration Page for filling/updating details.

• It will be sent for Approval to your selected APMC after KYC is completed.

• All APMC details will be visible on the dashboard. 

• After Successful Submission an email confirming the submission of the application to the concerned APMC with the status of the Application will be sent to you.

• Once approved by APMC, you will receive an eNAM Farmer Permanent Login ID. 

Conclusion

The empowerment of farmers and promotion of inclusive growth of all stakeholders across all regions lies at the core of thi scheme. Moving ahead, it is going to prove beneficial in the digital age. 

Read more about how PM Kisan Samruddhi Kendras are serving as one-stop-shops for agricultural input assistance for farmers here.

For queries and grievances, reach out to the Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium at 1800-270-0224 or drop a mail at nam@sfac.in.