Gaining heft

E-NAM needs key executive and legislative changes

The record business transacted through the electronic National Agricultural Market (e-NAM) during April-January 2021-22 is a clear indication of the growing relevance of this non-conventional mode of agricultural marketing and its acceptance by the farmers. This pan-Indian digital market, launched in 2016, is emerging steadily as a reliable, transparent, fair, and low-cost alternative to the monopolistic and middlemen-dominated mandis operated by agricultural produce marketing committees (APMCs). Significantly, much of the increase in the e-NAM’s trade volumes has occurred after the repealing of the three agricultural laws, one of which was meant primarily to undercut the hegemony of the APMCs by