The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, launched the pilot of e-NAM - the e-trading platform for the National Agriculture Market here today. On the occasion he said that the initiative will usher in transparency which will greatly benefit the farmers. Shri Narendra Modi said this is a turning point for the agriculture community and the agriculture sector has to be looked at holistically, and it is only then that maximum benefit of the farmer can be ensured. On the occasion Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh said here today that the Government is working hard for the welfare of the farmers and launch of National Agriculture Market is a step in this direction. Shri Singh said that 21 mandis in 8 states have been linked to National Agriculture Market today.
By September, 2016 two hundred mandis will be included and by March, 2018 five hundred eighty five mandis. The Minister asserted that the Center is very keen to accomplish the work as early as possible and if States cooperate it will be done one year ahead that is by March2017. Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister said that Baba Saheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar dedicated his life to the poor, down trodden section of the people as well as farmers. That is why the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi made up his mind to launch National Agriculture Market for the farmers on 125th birth anniversary of Baba Saheb. The Agriculture Minister extended his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the able guidance meant for this project.Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh informed that this project will operate through an online portal which is being linked to the mandis of the States. Its software will be provided to all the willing states without cost. A knowledgeable person is being deployed for one year in every sharing mandi so as to facilitate the smooth functioning of the portal. Under this Project, Government of India is providing a grant of Rs. 30 lacs to the proposed agriculture mandis of the states.
The farmers will be provided “farmer helpline services round the clock” for obtaining information related to this portal. Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister said that the Ministry of Agriculture has adopted a concept- “agriculture development tree”. The Ministry of Agriculture has initiated a number of projects for overall development of the farmers within the same tree. The Minister further said that Government is taking all steps to double the farmers’ income in the next 5 years. In the end, the Agriculture Minister added that for the first time in India, “one nation and one market” is being developed and this market status will be elevated to the status of international market. Shri Singh said that all stakeholders should help achieve this goal. Apart from the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, Union Minister of Tele Communication and Information Technology, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Mohan Bhai Kundaria, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Cabinet Secretary Shri Pradeep Kumar Sinha and Agriculture Secretary, Shri Shobhana Patnaik were also present on the occasion.