The Government on Tuesday highlighted significant progress in digital agriculture initiatives, with the National Agriculture Market platform integrating 1,656 mandis across the country and benefiting over 1.80 crore farmers through cumulative trade worth 4.82 lakh crore rupees since its launch in 2016.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Bhagirath Choudhary informed the Lok Sabha that the e NAM platform has emerged as a key driver of transparent and competitive agricultural trade by linking physical wholesale markets across 23 States and 4 Union Territories into a unified online trading ecosystem.
According to official data, as on February 28, 2026, a total of 1.80 crore farmers and 2.72 lakh traders have been registered on the platform. In addition, 4,724 Farmer Producer Organisations have been onboarded, enabling collective participation of farmers in digital marketplaces. Since inception, 13.22 crore metric tonnes of agricultural produce have been traded on the platform, generating a total value of 4,82,350 crore rupees.
The platform enables farmers to access a wider pool of buyers beyond their local mandis, ensuring competitive price discovery through transparent online bidding. It also facilitates direct transfer of sale proceeds into farmers’ bank accounts, reducing intermediaries and enhancing income realisation.
State wise integration of mandis shows wide geographic coverage, with Tamil Nadu leading at 213 mandis, followed by Maharashtra with 181, Rajasthan with 173, Uttar Pradesh with 162 and Punjab with 156 mandis. Other major contributors include Gujarat with 144 mandis, Madhya Pradesh with 139, Haryana with 114 and Telangana with 57 mandis. Smaller states and Union Territories such as Goa, Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands have also been integrated into the platform, reflecting its nationwide reach.
Rajasthan has emerged as a key performer under the scheme, with 173 mandis onboarded and over 15.54 lakh farmers registered. The state has recorded a traded volume of over 3.16 crore metric tonnes with a total trade value exceeding 1,30,772 crore rupees.
To strengthen infrastructure, the Government provides financial assistance of up to 75 lakh rupees per mandi for facilities such as quality assaying laboratories, electronic weighing systems, grading and packaging units, IT infrastructure and composting facilities. This support is aimed at modernising agricultural markets and ensuring seamless digital integration.
A notable technological advancement under the scheme is the deployment of artificial intelligence and machine learning based quality testing systems. Currently, 134 mandis in Rajasthan are using AI and ML enabled machines for rapid and accurate quality assessment of agricultural commodities, significantly reducing testing time and improving efficiency in trade transactions.
Parallel to market reforms, the Government has also advanced the use of artificial intelligence in weather forecasting to support agricultural decision making. An AI based pilot for local monsoon onset forecasting was conducted for the Kharif 2025 season across parts of 13 states in collaboration with Development Innovation Lab India.
The pilot utilised a blended open source model combining NeuralGCM, the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts Artificial Intelligence Forecasting System and 125 years of historical rainfall data from the India Meteorological Department. The forecasts focused specifically on predicting the local onset of the monsoon, a critical factor for determining sowing timelines.
Forecast information was disseminated to 3,88,45,214 farmers through SMS alerts via the M Kisan portal in five regional languages including Hindi Odia Marathi Bangla and Punjabi, ensuring wide accessibility and regional relevance.
Feedback surveys conducted in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar through Kisan Call Centers indicated that between 31 percent and 52 percent of farmers modified their agricultural practices based on these forecasts. Adjustments included changes in sowing dates, land preparation strategies and selection of crops and inputs, demonstrating the practical utility of data driven advisories.
Building on the success of the pilot, the Government has decided to integrate this capability into the national agricultural system using an in house technological framework. The initiative will involve collaboration among Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology India Meteorological Department and Indian Space Research Organisation to enhance forecasting accuracy and operational deployment.
Officials stated that dynamical models developed by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology have shown improved capability in simulating local monsoon onset and will be incorporated into the AI framework for the 2026 agricultural cycle.
The combined expansion of digital trading platforms and AI driven advisory systems reflects a broader strategy to modernise agriculture through technology, improve market access and empower farmers with real time information.
The Government reiterated its commitment to strengthening digital agriculture infrastructure, enhancing transparency in agricultural markets and leveraging advanced technologies to support farmers’ incomes and productivity.
