India’s e-NAM Platform Integrates 1,656 Markets, Records ₹4.82 Lakh Crore in Trade
India’s National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) has expanded its digital trading network to 1,656 wholesale markets across the country, enabling large-scale online trade in agricultural produce. Since its launch in 2016, the platform has supported transactions worth ₹4.82 lakh crore, benefitting more than 18 million farmers by improving price discovery, transparency and access to buyers beyond local markets.
The update was provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on 17 March 2026. According to the government’s disclosure published by the Press Information Bureau, e-NAM now integrates physical mandis across 23 states and four union territories into a single online trading platform.
Scale and participation across states
As of 28 February 2026, more than 18.0 million farmers and 272,000 traders were registered on the e-NAM portal. In addition, 4,724 farmer producer organisations (FPOs) have been onboarded, allowing collective participation in digital trading and wider market access.
Cumulatively, agricultural commodities traded on the platform since inception totalled 132.2 million metric tonnes, with a recorded value of ₹4,82,350 crore. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh account for a substantial share of integrated markets, reflecting varied adoption levels across regions.
Improving price discovery and payments
The e-NAM platform enables farmers to sell produce through transparent online bidding, giving access to a wider pool of buyers at state and national levels. This model is intended to strengthen competitive price discovery while ensuring that sale proceeds are transferred directly into farmers’ bank accounts, reducing delays and intermediary dependence.
These digital mechanisms align with broader government efforts to modernise agricultural markets through data-driven systems and emerging technologies, as outlined in discussions on AI and technology in smart agriculture and the wider frontier technology roadmap for India’s agriculture sector.
Use of AI-based quality testing
Technology adoption within e-NAM-linked markets is also extending to quality assessment. In Rajasthan, 134 e-NAM mandis are currently using AI- and machine learning-based machines for quality testing of agricultural produce. Government support under the e-NAM scheme has helped reduce testing time and improve consistency in quality evaluation.
This focus on applied artificial intelligence reflects a wider shift towards digitally enabled agriculture, explored in analysis of India’s AI-driven agricultural transformation.
Infrastructure funding under the e-NAM scheme
Under the e-NAM scheme, the central government provides grant assistance of up to ₹75 lakh per mandi to states for strengthening market infrastructure required for digital integration. Supported facilities include quality testing laboratories, electronic weighing systems, cleaning and grading units, packaging infrastructure, hardware such as computers and printers, and software systems.
State-wise expenditure and progress data indicate varying levels of utilisation, with Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh among the higher recipients of released funds. The Ministry stated that these investments are aimed at ensuring physical markets are adequately equipped to operate within a unified digital trading framework.
