PM Modi launches online agri-market platform to ensure open price discovery, better returns to farmers

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched an online national agricultural products market platform that will integrate 585 wholesale markets across India.

This scheme naturally benefits farmers but it also benefits other stakeholders and the consumers, Modi said while launching the National Agriculture Market, an e-market platform.

This scheme naturally benefits farmers but it also benefits other stakeholders and the consumers: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/Iy8hu3Nre5 — PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 14, 2016

The launching of e-platform for marketing of agriculture products is being done with the aim to provide more options to farmers to sell their products and is part of implementation of the roadmap for doubling income of the farmers by 2022.

It will roll out to 200 mandis by September this year.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF MODI'S ADDRESS:

-Agriculture sector has to be seen holistically and that's when maximum benefit for the farmer can be ensured.

-This is a turning point for the agriculture world. We are looking at opportunities we previously didn't.

-This initiative will usher in transparency which will greatly benefit the farmer.

-Unfortunately, we don't have real time data on agriculture production. These structures need to be changed.

-This scheme naturally benefits farmers but it also benefits other stakeholders and the consumers.

National Agriculture Market (#eNAM) launch on #AmbedkarJayanti - #TransformingIndia moment. https://t.co/DCtay2ngDg pic.twitter.com/dgUVaCFLaD — MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) April 14, 2016

In July last year, the Cabinet had approved setting up of an online national agriculture market with a budget of Rs 200 crore.

At present, farmers are restricted to selling produce at mandis that charge various taxes. The online agri-market is expected to give choice to farmers to sell their produce both in physical mandis or online platform.

The easy access to sell online trade is likely to boost their incomes and improve availability, moderating price rise.