Study on Assessing Farmers Requirement and the Impact of e-NAM on APMC's

Abstract This research study focuses on the effectiveness of the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) and the challenges faced by farmers in participating in the Electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) in India. The findings reveal that the APMC has partially fulfilled the expectations of local farmers in terms of fair pricing, market access, and transparency. While some farmers reported fair pricing and satisfactory market access, others expressed concerns about price manipulation and difficulties in reaching wider buyer bases. Transparency in transactions and information dissemination was also deemed inadequate by a significant number of farmers. The research also highlights the challenges faced by farmers in participating in e-NAM, including limited access to digital infrastructure, technological literacy, lack of awareness, complex registration procedures, and difficulties in navigating the online trading system. Indian farmers have high expectations for fair pricing through APMCs, emphasizing the need for transparent price discovery mechanisms, elimination of intermediaries' exploitative practices, and equitable remuneration. The conclusions drawn from the research suggest that farmers expect APMCs to ensure fair and competitive prices, provide adequate storage and transportation facilities, protect them from exploitative middlemen, assist in accessing credit facilities, and provide market information. Transparency, farmer engagement, communication, and education on e-NAM and technological tools were also highlighted as important factors to address farmers' concerns and promote their well-being and development