The Government of India’s National Policy Framework on Agriculture and Marketing (NPFAM) continues to strengthen the agricultural sector, delivering substantial benefits to farmers across the country through reforms in market access, price assurance, and transparency.
Agricultural marketing is a state subject, and several states have established Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) to meet local needs. To further empower farmers, especially small and marginal ones, the Centre launched the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) in 2016 a digital trading platform that allows farmers to sell their produce directly at fair prices without the interference of middlemen.
e-NAM: Transforming Agricultural Trade
The e-NAM platform has expanded rural farmers’ reach by providing:
- Wider market access beyond local mandis
- Better price discovery through competitive bidding
- Reduced transaction costs and dependency on local markets
- Financial inclusion via online payments, minimising cash transactions
As of June 30, 2025, a total of 1,522 mandis have been integrated into e-NAM across 23 States and 4 Union Territories. From June 2024 to June 2025, the platform recorded a 21% rise in trade volume and a 22% increase in trade value, reflecting its growing importance in agricultural commerce.
MSP: Guaranteed Returns for Farmers
The government fixes Minimum Support Prices (MSP) annually for 22 mandated crops, based on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP), after consultations with state governments and relevant ministries. Since 2018–19, MSPs have been set to ensure farmers receive at least 50% returns over the all-India weighted average cost of production for Kharif, Rabi, and commercial crops.
Between 2014–15 and June 30, 2025, the government has procured 315.19 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of oilseeds, pulses, and copra worth ₹1,69,980.90 crore directly from farmers.
PM-AASHA: Securing Farmers’ Income
The Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) continues to ensure remunerative prices, especially for pulses, oilseeds, and copra. Under this scheme, the government implements:
- Price Support System (PSS) for direct procurement
- Price Deficiency Payment System (PDPS) for compensating farmers when market prices fall below MSP
Through these measures, the NPFAM has reinforced the government’s commitment to enhancing farmer incomes, improving market efficiency, and ensuring India’s agricultural sector remains resilient and competitive.
By
