Report of the Expert Committee on the Platform at the Market Yard of National Importance

The National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) in India has transformed the agricultural industry by bringing together farmers and traders from all over the nation. The e-NAM platform, which 1361 Mandis has integrated, has changed the manner that agricultural trading is conducted. The implementation of the Market Yard of National Importance (MNI) also intends to improve trade between states and across mandis, empowering farmers and fostering price competition. 

Empowering Farmers and Traders with e-NAM 

Since its debut in April 2016, e-NAM has grown remarkably. More than 1.75 crore farmers and 2.45 lakh dealers had enrolled on the e-NAM platform as of July 3, 2023. 7.97 crore MT and 25.82 crore numbers worth of trade, including commodities like bamboo, betel leaves, coconut, lemon and sweet corn, have been made possible by the platform. The total commerce value has impressively surpassed Rs. 2.79 lakh crore. Farmers in 23 states and 4 union territories now have better access to markets because to this digital ecosystem. 

Inter-Mandi and Inter-State Trade: Its Importance 

Getting fair pricing for extra agricultural produce is one of the main goals of encouraging inter-mandi and inter-State trade. The Government of India established a high-level Expert Committee on April 21, 2023, in response to this requirement, with the goal of advancing agricultural commerce through the development and use of the Market Yard of National Importance (MNI). The Karnataka government's Special Secretary for Agriculture, Dr. Manoj Rajan, presided over this committee, which also had representatives from various state agriculture marketing boards. 

The Market Yard of National Importance's (MNI) Function 

The Market Yard of National Importance (MNI) strives to increase the producers' proportion of final consumer prices and to streamline inter-mandi and inter-State trade. The MNI-P platform's implementation framework, which includes the legal framework, interstate reciprocity of licence and mobility, dispute resolution methods, and rollout tactics, has been endorsed by the expert committee. The MNI platform would enable farmers to sell their excess produce outside of state lines by developing a digital ecosystem that makes use of the knowledge of many sectors of the agriculture value chain. 

Farmer empowerment and the creation of new opportunities 

Farmers have a lot of chances thanks to the integration of e-NAM and the launch of the Market Yard of National Importance (MNI). It gives farmers access to a bigger market where they can sell their extra produce, increasing their reach and income. The digital ecosystem also makes it possible for efficient marketing systems, transparent price discovery, and quality-based trading. The government, farmers, and traders working together to promote a competitive and sustainable agricultural sector.