Start Mandi Rate Facility on Mobile Phone: Revolutionizing Crop Marketing in India
Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, employing over half of the workforce and contributing 17-18% of the country’s GDP. Despite the sector’s immense importance, farmers have to deal with a plethora of challenges such as price volatility, lack of market access, and middlemen’s exploitation. However, with the advent of technology, such issues are gradually being addressed, and one such game-changer is the start mandi rate facility on mobile phones.
Mandis or wholesale markets are the primary means of trade between farmers and traders/buyers. However, the prices at mandis can vary significantly based on several factors such as demand-supply dynamics, transportation costs, storage conditions, etc., which can cause farmers to suffer heavy losses. Additionally, accessing mandi prices was a challenge for farmers, who either had to rely on middlemen or visit the mandi physically, leading to information asymmetry and exploitation.
To address these issues, the government of India launched the start mandi rate facility on mobile phones in 2017 under the National Agricultural Market (e-NAM) scheme. The initiative aimed to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities by integrating mandis electronically and providing transparent price discovery to farmers.
Under the scheme, farmers can access mandi prices for various commodities, including fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses, and oilseeds, through their mobile phones. Farmers can download the e-NAM app or dial the toll-free number 1800-270-0124 to get information on the mandi prices of their district or nearby locations. The app provides real-time prices, arrival details, quality specifications, bidding history, and market trends, enabling farmers to make informed selling decisions.
Apart from accessing mandi prices, farmers can also use the e-NAM platform to sell their produce directly to buyers without the involvement of middlemen. The e-NAM platform ensures transparency, accountability, and timely payment to farmers, reducing the exploitation and corruption prevalent in traditional mandis. Additionally, the platform offers a hassle-free selling experience to farmers, eliminating the need to take their produce physically to the mandi and reducing transportation costs.
The start mandi rate facility on mobile phones has several benefits for farmers, including price transparency, eliminating middlemen, reducing transaction costs, and ensuring fair payment. The e-NAM platform has already registered over 1.8 crore farmers, 1.07 lakh traders, and 1,000 mandis across 28 states and union territories, indicating its widespread adoption.
In conclusion, the start mandi rate facility on mobile phones has revolutionized crop marketing in India by leveraging technology to overcome the challenges faced by farmers. The initiative has enabled farmers to access transparent mandi prices, sell their produce directly to buyers, and ensure fair payment, empowering them to get a better remuneration for their hard work. The government must continue to promote and enhance the e-NAM platform to enable inclusive development of the agricultural sector and uplift the lives of farmers.