e-NAM: Digital Platform Transforming Indian Agriculture Market for Farmers

e-NAM: Revolutionizing Agricultural Trade Through Digital India

By Mr TPM | Updated July 10, 2025

In a landmark initiative to transform agricultural marketing in India, the government introduced the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) – a pan-India electronic trading portal that aims to connect existing Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis through a unified online platform. Launched on April 14, 2016, by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, e-NAM is now changing the face of agricultural trade for millions of farmers across the country.

What is e-NAM?

e-NAM (Electronic National Agriculture Market) is a digital marketplace for farmers, traders, and buyers that facilitates transparent price discovery and fair trade practices. It allows for the online trading of agri-commodities, enabling farmers to receive better prices and access a wider market without being limited by geography.

Developed by the Small Farmers' Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) under the guidance of the Government of India, the portal integrates mandis and other stakeholders into one seamless network.

Key Objectives of e-NAM

1. Transparency in Transactions: e-NAM provides real-time prices and reduces human intervention, cutting down on malpractice.
2. Better Price Realization: By linking markets nationwide, it gives farmers multiple options and fairer rates for their produce.
3. Reduction in Intermediaries: It reduces the need for middlemen, ensuring that farmers receive a larger share of the final price.
4. Digital Integration: The platform supports payments via digital modes, enhancing financial inclusion for farmers.

How e-NAM Works

Farmers bring their produce to the local mandi as usual. Once the produce is graded and quality-tested, it is listed on the e-NAM portal. Registered buyers from across India can then place bids online. The highest bidder wins the lot, and the payment is made directly to the farmer's bank account.

The platform supports multiple languages, real-time bidding, quality certification, and an integrated payment mechanism – making the entire process smooth, secure, and farmer-friendly.

Achievements So Far

As of July 2025:

• Over 1,260 mandis across 28 states and 8 UTs are integrated with the platform.
• More than 1.8 crore farmers, 2 lakh traders, and 1,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are registered on e-NAM.
• The platform supports trade in over 200 agricultural and horticultural commodities, including grains, pulses, oilseeds, fruits, and vegetables.

Additionally, mobile apps and online dashboards are helping farmers track prices, weather, and mandi trends.

Government Support & Recent Initiatives

To boost participation, the government has:

• Offered financial assistance of up to ₹75 lakh per mandi for integration with e-NAM.
• Developed e-NAM Mobile App for seamless access on smartphones.
• Launched inter-mandi and interstate trade features, promoting nationwide access to markets.
• Enabled FPO module, allowing groups of farmers to trade in bulk and negotiate better prices.

The government is also promoting “One Nation, One Market” under the Digital India vision, and e-NAM plays a pivotal role in realizing this dream.

Real-Life Impact: Voices from the Ground

Ramesh Patel, a small farmer from Madhya Pradesh, shared his experience:
"Earlier, I was dependent on local traders who offered low prices. Now, through e-NAM, I sell to buyers in Maharashtra and Karnataka at better rates. I received my payment in 2 days. It feels empowering."

Sunita Devi, an FPO leader from Bihar, said:
"We use e-NAM to sell pulses and oilseeds collectively. The profit margin has increased, and our members are finally getting their due."

Challenges Ahead

Despite its success, e-NAM faces certain hurdles:

• Limited internet access and digital literacy in rural areas.
• Infrastructure issues like grading labs and warehousing.
• Resistance from traditional market intermediaries.

To counter these, the government is pushing for capacity building, digital education, and improved rural connectivity under BharatNet.

Conclusion

e-NAM is not just an online portal; it is a revolution in Indian agriculture, striving to ensure “Farmers First” in every sense. With the right push in technology, awareness, and infrastructure, e-NAM has the potential to create a more efficient, transparent, and farmer-friendly marketplace.

For a sector that supports over 50% of India’s workforce, e-NAM could well be the game-changer that Indian agriculture has been waiting for.