The Indian government has taken another step in enhancing agricultural trade by expanding the scope of the electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) platform. With the addition of 10 new agricultural commodities, the total number of tradable products on the platform has now reached 231. This initiative is aimed at increasing the coverage of agricultural commodities and providing more opportunities for farmers and traders to access better market prices through digital trade.
The decision to broaden the range of commodities on e-NAM comes in response to continuous demand from farmers, traders and other stakeholders who sought the inclusion of more agricultural products. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare took this step to ensure a wider selection of tradable goods, thereby increasing the utility of the digital platform.
The Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI), responsible for overseeing the trading parameters of agricultural commodities on e-NAM, played a key role in formulating the necessary guidelines for these newly added products. The approval for this expansion was granted by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
To ensure that these new commodities meet trade requirements and quality standards, extensive consultations were conducted with key stakeholders. These included state agencies, traders, subject matter specialists, and the Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC). The addition of these commodities is expected to enhance transparency in agricultural trade, facilitate fair trading practices, and provide farmers with greater opportunities to secure better prices for their produce.
Newly Added Commodities and Their Categories
With the recent expansion, 10 more agricultural commodities have been introduced to the e-NAM platform. These include a mix of miscellaneous items, spices, vegetables, and fruits. The newly added commodities are:
Miscellaneous commodities: Dried tulsi leaves, besan (chickpea flour), wheat flour, chana sattu (roasted chickpea flour), and water chestnut flour
Spices: Asafoetida and dried fenugreek leaves
Vegetables: Water chestnut and baby corn
Fruits: Dragon fruit
Some of these newly included products, specifically chana sattu, water chestnut flour, asafoetida, and dried fenugreek leaves, fall under the category of secondary trade. This categorization is expected to help Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) market value-added products while also formalizing trade in the sector. The introduction of these commodities onto the digital platform is set to widen market access and strengthen the trading framework for agricultural goods.
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Role of Tradable Parameters in Enhancing Market Access
The formulation of tradable parameters by DMI is a crucial aspect of ensuring the success of the expanded e-NAM platform. These parameters are designed to provide clear guidelines on the quality and commercial value of agricultural products, helping farmers receive fair compensation for their produce. By implementing quality standards, the initiative aims to increase transparency, build trust between buyers and sellers, and create a more efficient trading environment.
With these additional commodities, the total number of agricultural products with defined tradable parameters on e-NAM has now risen to 231. The updated parameters will be made available on the e-NAM portal, making it easier for farmers and traders to access information and participate in digital trade.
e-NAM’s Contribution to Agricultural Trade
Launched in 2016, e-NAM is a pan-India electronic trading platform that integrates existing Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis into a unified national market. By providing a digital framework for agricultural trade, e-NAM has improved market linkages, enhanced price discovery, and simplified transactions for farmers and traders alike. The addition of new commodities to the platform aligns with the government’s broader objectives of modernizing agricultural trade and ensuring greater efficiency in the sector.
The ongoing efforts to expand e-NAM reflect the government’s commitment to providing farmers with better access to markets while fostering a more structured and transparent agricultural trade ecosystem. With the introduction of more tradable commodities, the platform is expected to further strengthen digital agricultural transactions, contributing to improved pricing and economic benefits for farmers across the country.