Expert Committee’s Report on Market Yard of National Importance Platform

July 6, 2023

The National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) in India has emerged as a game-changer in the agricultural sector, connecting farmers and traders across the country. With 1361 Mandis integrated into the e-NAM platform, this digital marketplace has transformed the way agricultural trade operates. Moreover, the introduction of the Market Yard of National Importance (MNI) further aims to enhance inter-mandi and inter-State trade, empowering farmers and promoting price competitiveness.

e-NAM: Empowering Farmers and Traders

e-NAM has witnessed remarkable growth since its launch in April 2016. As of July 3, 2023, more than 1.75 crore farmers and 2.45 lakh traders have registered on the e-NAM portal. The platform has facilitated a total trade volume of 7.97 crore MT and 25.82 crore numbers, encompassing commodities such as bamboo, betel leaves, coconut, lemon, and sweet corn. The cumulative trade value has reached an impressive Rs. 2.79 lakh crore. This digital ecosystem has improved transparency, efficiency, and access to markets for farmers across 23 states and 4 Union Territories.

The Significance of Inter-Mandi and Inter-State Trade

One of the primary objectives of promoting inter-mandi and inter-State trade is to obtain competitive prices for surplus farmer produce. Recognizing this need, the Government of India constituted a high-level Expert Committee on April 21, 2023, to further advance agricultural trade through the concept and implementation of the Market Yard of National Importance (MNI). Dr. Manoj Rajan, the Special Secretary (Agriculture) of the Government of Karnataka, chaired this committee, which included members from various state agriculture marketing boards.

The Role of the Market Yard of National Importance (MNI)

The Market Yard of National Importance (MNI) aims to enhance the share of producers in the end consumer price and facilitate seamless inter-mandi and inter-State trade. The expert committee has recommended the implementation framework of the MNI-P platform, which encompasses the legal framework, inter-state reciprocity of license and movement, dispute resolution mechanisms, and rollout strategies. By creating a digital ecosystem that leverages the expertise of different segments of the agriculture value chain, the MNI platform will enable farmers to sell their surplus produce beyond state boundaries.

Empowering Farmers and Creating New Opportunities

The integration of e-NAM and the introduction of the Market Yard of National Importance (MNI) provide significant opportunities for farmers. It enables them to access a larger market and sell their surplus produce, thereby expanding their reach and boosting their incomes. Additionally, the digital ecosystem facilitates quality-based trading, transparent price discovery, and efficient marketing systems. This collaborative approach between the government, farmers, and traders fosters a competitive and sustainable agricultural sector.

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