The eNAM (electronic National Agriculture Market) platform has been a game-changer for farmers and growers across India. It has revolutionized the way agricultural produce is bought and sold, making the process more transparent and efficient. And according to Assistant Professor at BITS Goa, this platform has been a huge advantage for growers as they can now easily access and monitor prices through the eNAM scroll.
The eNAM platform was launched in 2016 by the Government of India with the aim of creating a unified national market for agricultural commodities. It connects existing APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) mandis to create a single online market where farmers can sell their produce to buyers from all over the country. This eliminates the need for middlemen and allows farmers to get better prices for their produce.
One of the key features of the eNAM platform is the eNAM scroll, which displays real-time prices of various commodities in different mandis. This has been a game-changer for growers as they can now easily access and compare prices in different markets, allowing them to make informed decisions about where to sell their produce. This has also helped in reducing the information asymmetry that existed in the traditional mandi system, where farmers were often unaware of the prevailing prices in other markets.
The eNAM scroll has also brought in transparency in the pricing of agricultural commodities. In the traditional mandi system, prices were often manipulated by middlemen, leading to farmers getting lower prices for their produce. But with the eNAM scroll, prices are determined by market forces, and farmers can now get the true value for their hard work. This has not only increased their income but has also instilled a sense of confidence and empowerment among farmers.
Moreover, the eNAM platform has also made the selling process more efficient for growers. Earlier, farmers had to physically go to the mandi to sell their produce, which was not only time-consuming but also involved additional costs. With eNAM, farmers can now sell their produce from the comfort of their homes, saving them time and money. This has been especially beneficial for small and marginal farmers who often struggle with transportation and logistics.
The eNAM platform has also helped in reducing the wastage of agricultural produce. In the traditional mandi system, farmers had to sell their produce immediately, even if the prices were not favorable, as they had no means of storing it. But with eNAM, farmers can now hold onto their produce and sell it when the prices are more favorable. This has not only increased their income but has also reduced the wastage of agricultural produce, which is a major concern in our country.
The eNAM platform has also opened up new markets for growers. With the traditional mandi system, farmers were limited to selling their produce in their local market. But with eNAM, they can now sell their produce to buyers from all over the country, giving them access to a larger market and better prices. This has also encouraged farmers to diversify their crops and produce a wider range of commodities, knowing that they have a larger market to sell to.
In addition to all these benefits, the eNAM platform has also helped in creating a more competitive market for agricultural commodities. With buyers from all over the country competing for the same produce, farmers can now get better prices for their produce. This has also encouraged buyers to offer fair prices, knowing that they are competing with other buyers in the market.
The eNAM platform has been a huge success since its launch, with over 1000 mandis and 1.66 crore farmers registered on the platform. It has not only benefited farmers but has also brought in much-needed reforms in the agricultural sector. And with the recent announcement by the government to integrate 415 more mandis into the eNAM platform, the future looks even brighter for growers.
In conclusion, the eNAM platform has been a game-changer for growers in India. It has provided them with a transparent, efficient, and competitive market to sell their produce, and the eNAM scroll has been a crucial tool in this process. With the platform continuously evolving and expanding, it is safe to say that the future of agriculture in India looks promising, and growers can look forward to reaping the benefits of this revolutionary platform.
