, 14 April 2016 : In order to double farmers’ income by 2022, Indian prime minister today launched the pilot of e-NAM, the e-trading platform for the National Agriculture Market (NAM) and connected 21 mandis in eight states.

Speaking on the on the occasion, PM said that the initiative will usher in transparency which will greatly benefit the farmers.

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.

Indian Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, 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.

Singh said that 21 mandis in 8 states have been linked to National Agriculture Market. By September 2016, 200 mandis will be included and by March 2018, 585 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.

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, Singh adds.

Singh stressed that 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.