Uttar Pradesh government has unveiled a web-based e-mandi lottery system to enhance agricultural trade. The platform will feature lottery tracking, coupon generation and improved user interaction, aiming to streamline mandi operations and boost efficiency in the agricultural sector.
As reported by the Times of India (ToI), Uttar Pradesh Development Systems Corporation Limited (UPDESCO) has been tasked with overseeing the design and implementation of this digital platform, which aims to streamline mandi operations. The project will be executed through a process of agency selection, with priority given to companies already enlisted with UPDESCO. Following the selection and allocation of work, a 30-day deadline has been set for the completion of development.
E-Mandi refers to a system that utilizes online and digital platforms to deliver Mandi services, maximizing the use of information technology and streamlining processes while minimizing human intervention. The main goal of e-Mandi is to convert all grain and vegetable markets into e-markets, ensuring that farmers receive fair prices for their produce.
As a web-based platform, E-Mandi enhances operations for stakeholders in the Mandi system by offering modules for trader licensing, transaction recording, digital payments, and entry slips for farmers. Each user has a personalized login for secure access to their tasks. Developed from insights into Mandi challenges and best practices from other states, E-Mandi is being implemented across all Mandi Samitis and will adapt based on user feedback, maximizing benefits for both traders and farmers.
Read more: Drone Adoption Drives IoTechWorld-IFFCO Partnership Across 30 Lakh Acres
Benefits of e-Mandi
E-Mandi aims to improve the agricultural landscape by utilizing digital technology to streamline market processes, enhancing the overall efficiency of agricultural trade. Key ways E-Mandi will benefit farmers and the agriculture sector include:
- Fair Pricing: By transforming traditional markets into e-markets, E-Mandi ensures that farmers can access real-time pricing information, enabling them to negotiate better deals for their produce and receive fair prices.
- Simplified Transactions: The platform facilitates online sales and purchases, reducing the need for intermediaries. This direct access allows farmers to sell their goods more efficiently, minimizing costs and increasing profit margins.
- Digital Licensing and Forms: E-Mandi provides an online system for trader licensing and transaction documentation. This simplifies the administrative process for farmers and traders alike, reducing paperwork and potential errors.
- Access to a Wider Market: With E-Mandi, farmers can connect with buyers beyond their local markets, expanding their customer base and increasing sales opportunities. This broader reach can lead to higher demand for their products.
- Real-Time Data and Analytics: Farmers will have access to valuable data about market trends, demand patterns, and pricing. This information can help them make informed decisions about what to plant, when to harvest, and how to price their products.
- Efficient Logistics: The platform allows for online applications for gate passes and facilitates the transport of goods, making it easier for farmers to move their products to various markets without unnecessary delays.
- Transparency and Trust: E-Mandi promotes transparency in transactions by documenting all sales and purchases online. This builds trust among farmers, traders, and consumers, as everyone can verify transaction details.
- Support for Mill Factories: The portal enables mill factories to transfer stock for processing, creating a more integrated supply chain that benefits farmers by ensuring their produce is efficiently utilized.
- Ongoing Improvement: E-Mandi is designed to evolve based on user feedback, ensuring it continually addresses the needs of farmers and traders, enhancing its effectiveness over time.
Overview of the Current Market System
In Uttar Pradesh, 251 regulated Mandi committees operate across 220 established sites, managed by the Mandi Samiti, which oversees trader licensing to ensure that only authorized individuals can buy and sell agricultural products. Farmers receive an entry slip detailing their information and product specifics upon arrival at the market. Sales can occur through auctions or direct transactions, with all deals documented to promote transparency. After each sale, traders pay the required Mandi Fee and receive a receipt, while also maintaining stock registers to monitor purchases and inventory. Transactions involving sales to other buyers are recorded, and traders must obtain a gate pass to transport goods out of the Mandi area, ensuring an efficient and transparent agricultural trade system.
To further streamline market operations, the e-Mandi portal developed by National Informatics Centre introduces several key features. It includes a computerized entry slip system at market entrances for farmers’ convenience and allows traders to apply online for Mandi licenses, which are digitally issued by the Mandi Committee. Licensed traders can issue necessary forms for purchases and sales directly through the portal, and they can also apply for gate passes online, simplifying processes for those traveling long distances. The portal accommodates separate entry slips for products from outside the state and allows mill factories to transfer stock for processing. Future enhancements will include online payment options for market fees and development cess, along with measures to prevent evasion, such as controls on under-billing and verification of incoming stock, ensuring compliance and transparency throughout the system.
By modernizing agricultural trade and providing farmers with essential tools and resources, E-Mandi aims to empower the agricultural community, ultimately contributing to increased productivity, profitability, and sustainability in the sector.
