The agriculture industry in India is one of the largest and most important sectors of the economy, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP and employing a significant portion of the population. However, the lack of a proper market system for agricultural products has been a major challenge for farmers in India for years. The introduction of the National Agriculture Market (NAM) is aimed at addressing this issue and revolutionizing the way farmers sell their products.
What is the National Agriculture Market (NAM)?
The National Agriculture Market (NAM) is an online platform launched by the Government of India in 2016 to facilitate the buying and selling of agricultural products across the country. The forum was introduced to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities, where farmers can sell their produce to buyers from anywhere in the country, without the need for a physical presence in the market.
How Does the National Agriculture Market (NAM) Work?
The National Agriculture Market (NAM) functions on a three-tier structure comprising the National Agriculture Market platform, State Agriculture Marketing Board, and APMC (Agriculture Produce Market Committee) mandis. The platform is connected to a network of mandis across the country, allowing farmers to sell their products to buyers from any part of the country.
The farmers have to register themselves on the NAM platform and upload the details of their products, including quality, quantity, and price. The platform allows farmers to receive real-time information on the prevailing market prices, enabling them to make informed decisions about the selling price of their products. The buyers, on the other hand, can access the platform to find the best deals and quality products.
Benefits of the National Agriculture Market (NAM)
The National Agriculture Market (NAM) has several benefits for farmers, including:
- Access to a larger market: Farmers can sell their products to buyers from anywhere in the country, enabling them to access a larger market for their products.
- Fair prices: The platform provides real-time information on the prevailing market prices, enabling farmers to get fair prices for their products.
- Reduced wastage: With the platform, farmers can sell their products directly to buyers, reducing the wastage that occurs due to multiple intermediaries involved in the selling process.
- Transparency: The platform provides transparency in the buying and selling, ensuring that farmers get a fair deal for their products.
Conclusion
The National Agriculture Market (NAM) has been a game-changer for farmers in India, revolutionizing the way they sell their products. The platform has created a unified national market for agricultural commodities, enabling farmers to access a larger market, get fair prices for their products, and reduce wastage. The NAM is an excellent example of how technology can be used to benefit farmers and revolutionize the agriculture industry.