The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, has taken significant strides in enhancing the lives of small and marginal farmers in India. The e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) platform, an online trading platform for agricultural produce, has been a game changer in ensuring better price realization for farmers. This initiative has made agricultural marketing more efficient, transparent, and accessible by connecting farmers directly with buyers across the country.
Making the e-NAM Platform Accessible
To empower farmers and encourage them to participate in e-NAM, various steps have been taken to make the platform user-friendly and accessible. One of the most important features is the online registration system, which allows farmers to register easily through the e-NAM portal or via a mobile app available on both Android and iOS platforms. This enables farmers to participate in the online market from the comfort of their homes or farms, reducing the need for physical travel to Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs), which are often located far from rural areas.
In addition, the Ministry has set up a toll-free helpline (18002700224) to assist farmers in the registration and trading process, ensuring that they can navigate the platform without any difficulty. The government also conducts regular training programs at APMCs to familiarize farmers with the platform, helping them understand how to use it effectively for selling their produce and maximizing their returns.
Encouraging Collective Action through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
Many small farmers face challenges in accessing markets due to the small quantities of produce they can sell individually. To address this, the government encourages farmers to come together in the form of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). These organizations aggregate the produce of their members, allowing them to access the e-NAM platform through the FPO trading module. This collective approach provides economies of scale, enabling farmers to compete better in the market and gain better prices for their goods.
As of February 28, 2025, a total of 4,392 FPOs have been successfully onboarded on the e-NAM platform, enabling thousands of farmers to access national markets directly. This initiative has been vital in ensuring that small farmers have a voice in the marketplace, thereby improving their income levels and market access.
Breaking Geographic Barriers with the Farm Gate Module
One of the standout features of e-NAM is the Farm Gate Module, which allows farmers to offer their produce without the need to physically transport it to the APMC. This is especially useful for farmers in remote areas, who face logistical challenges in reaching the nearest market. The module reduces transportation costs and the risk of spoilage, ensuring that farmers get a fair price for their produce without the added burden of travel.
Upgrading e-NAM to e-NAM 2.0
To further enhance the efficiency and scalability of the e-NAM platform, the government has decided to upgrade it to e-NAM 2.0. This new version aims to address logistical challenges that have hindered the growth of inter-state and inter-mandi trade. By onboarding various logistic service providers, the government intends to bridge the existing gaps in the supply chain, ensuring faster trade, reduced wastage, and better farmer incomes.
e-NAM 2.0 will also feature enhancements such as bank account validation, eKYC using Aadhaar, and onboarding of assaying, logistics, and other value-added service providers. This will make the platform more robust, user-friendly, and open-network compliant, increasing its reach and efficiency.
