In a move to digitize and streamline agricultural procurement, the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) of India has introduced 170 new seed categories on its platform, enhancing the e-marketplace’s role in India’s agritech sector.
GeM is a Section 8 company setup under the administrative control of the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, for procurement of goods and services by Central Ministries, State Departments, PSEs and Autonomous Bodies.
This expansion, rolled out ahead of the cropping season, includes nearly 8,000 seed varieties, making it easier for Central and State PSUs, along with other government agencies, to source quality seeds directly through a digital platform. By reducing the time and complexity involved in procurement, this initiative bolsters digital access to essential agricultural inputs.
The creation of these categories follows consultations with key stakeholders, including state seed corporations and agricultural research bodies. Through this structured framework, GeM aims to simplify compliance with existing regulatory standards, allowing agencies to procure seeds efficiently without lengthy tendering processes.
“We invite sellers to leverage these new seed categories and list their offerings to participate freely in government tenders. This expansion not only supports cost-effective procurement for state bodies but also ensures easy access to quality seeds.”
Enhancing Procurement with AI-Powered Insights
In addition to expanding seed categories, GeM integrates artificial intelligence to optimize procurement processes for government buyers. With AI-driven tools, the platform offers features like real-time product comparison, anomaly detection, and price analysis, which enable agencies to make data-informed purchasing decisions. These tools also identify irregular pricing patterns and prevent collusion, promoting greater transparency in procurement. GeM claims to be the first public procurement agency to use a generative AI-based chat-box to enhance users’ experience.
A Growing Platform for Agritech and Beyond
GeM celebrated its eighth anniversary in August, earlier this year, reporting significant growth across the platform, with procurement reaching ₹1.92 lakh crore in FY 2024-25, marking a 136% increase over the previous year. Service procurement has also expanded, with GMV reaching ₹80,493 crore this fiscal year, further positioning GeM as a comprehensive digital marketplace.
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Supporting nearly 1.5 lakh government buyers and over 23 lakh sellers, GeM connects the public sector with suppliers across 11,523 product and 327 service categories. Through its #vocalforlocal initiative, the platform encourages MSMEs, including women-owned and SC/ST enterprises, to participate actively in government procurement, strengthening the inclusion of diverse stakeholders in the public procurement space.
With the addition of AI capabilities and new seed categories, GeM reinforces its commitment to advancing agritech, providing a streamlined and transparent digital marketplace to support India’s agricultural needs.
