In News: The country’s first e-kisan mandi became operational in Pune recently, led by NAFED’s arm Federation of Farmer Producer Organisations and Aggregators (FIFA).
About NAFED e-Kisan mandis (NeKM)
- NAFED e-Kisan mandis (NeKM) is electronic trading platform with physical infra-structure at each proposed location in partnership with local Farmer Producer Organisations (FPCx and Cooperatives) to be integrated with a National Level Digital Marketing Platform.
- The mandi has both physical and virtual infrastructure and it is based on spoke & hub models.
- The physical infra-structure will include a digital platform with auctioning facility, pack-house (including sorting-grading, packing and pre-cooling facilities), warehouse and cold storages if required. FPOs will get funding support through Agriculture Infra-structure Fund (AIF) and subsidies available under various Central and State Government schemes.
- The mandis are made at farm gates bringing buyers to farmers.
- Unlike e-NAM, which focuses on APMCs, the e-kisan mandis will seek to bring farmers, agri-producers, traders and small buyers on a common platform for trading agricultural commodities.
- NAFED would invest in setting up warehouses and cold storage at the e-kisan hubs in addition to providing drying, sorting and grading facilities.
Locations of NeKMs in which NAFED has entered into agreement with FPOs:
| SL No. | Place of Mandi | State |
| 1 | Vashi | Maharashtra |
| 2 | Khachrod | Madhya Pradesh |
| 3 | Morbi | Gujarat |
| 4 | Dholbare | Maharashtra |
| 5 | Gultekdi | Maharashtra |
National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED)
- Established in October 1958.
- Registered under the Multi State Co-operative Societies Act.
- Object to promote Cooperative marketing of agricultural produce to benefit the farmers.
- Agricultural farmers are the main members of NAFED
- Agricultural farmers who have the authority to say in the form of members of the General Body in the working of NAFED.
- NAFED holds the Central Buffer of onions on behalf of the Union Government.
Farmers’ Producer Organisation (FPO)
- Farmers’ Producer Organisation (FPO), also known as farmers’ producer company (FPC), is an entity formed by primary producers.
- Include farmers, milk producers, fishermen, weavers, rural artisans, and craftsmen.
- FPO can be a Producer Company, a Cooperative Society or any other legal form.
- FPOs are basically the hybrids of cooperatives and private companies.
- The participation, organisation and membership pattern of these companies are more or less similar to the cooperatives.
- Day-to-day functioning and business models resemble those of the professionally-run private companies.
- The Companies Act was amended by incorporating Section-IX A in it to allow creation and registration of FPOs under it.
Source: PIB
