ELECTRONICNATIONAL AGRICULTURE MARKET (e-NAM) PERFORMANCE SYMPHONY: A DYNAMIC APPRAISAL IN GUNTUR MARKET THROUGH VARIED STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVES

In the study, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted using an ex-post facto research design to assess the performance of the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) within the distinguished Guntur mandi of Andhra Pradesh. The selection of Guntur mandi was deliberate, considering its status as the foremost market in the state in terms of both trade volume and transaction value facilitated through e-NAM. This study involved the active participation of 100 stakeholders, and a meticulous appraisal index was crafted based on assessments provided by five key stakeholders: Farmers, Traders, FPOs, Commission Agents, and e-NAM officials. The appraisal index, calculated as the obtained score divided by the maximum obtainable score multiplied by 100, served as a quantitative measure for evaluating performance across four crucial e-NAM sub-indicators: Infrastructure, Quality Assurance, Transparency, and Market Information System. Through the collection of data via pretested interviewschedule, a discerning overview emerged, indicating that, on the whole, stakeholders rated e-NAM’s performance as good. It is noteworthy, however, that farmers attributed the lowest mean score to performance of e-NAM among all stakeholders. Among the sub-indicators, Market Information System garnered the highest score, underscoring its effectiveness, while Infrastructure scored the lowest, indicating areas requiring attention. The study posits strategic opportunities for enhancing e-NAM’s overall performance, with a particular emphasis on the imperative need for improvements in infrastructure and other pertinent sub-indicators to unlock their full potential.