e-Rashtriya Kisan Agri Mandi (e-RaKAM), Check Details

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The e-Rashtriya Kisan Agri Mandi (e-RaKAM) is a national digital agri-market platform launched by the Government of India to support farmers with transparent price discovery and direct market access. It is an exclusive e-auction portal for agricultural produce, developed by MSTC Limited, a Mini Ratna PSU under the Ministry of Steel, with logistics and marketing support from CRWC Limited, a subsidiary of the Central Warehousing Corporation.

The platform was launched by Ram Vilas Paswan, then Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, along with Chaudhary Birender Singh, then Minister of Steel. The primary objective of e-RaKAM is to remove middlemen, ensure fair prices, and increase farmers’ income by leveraging technology under the Digital India initiative.

What is e-RaKAM?

e-RaKAM (Rashtriya Kisan Agri Mandi) is a robust electronic marketplace that enables purchase, sale, MSP booking, price discovery, and e-procurement of agricultural commodities through the internet.

It provides a transparent and competitive auction mechanism where farmers, buyers, processors, exporters, FPOs, and government agencies can participate directly. The platform also offers end-to-end logistics support, making it more than just a trading portal.

Initially, e-RaKAM focused on pulses and oilseeds, especially to auction surplus stocks lying in government warehouses, and is gradually expanding to cover multiple agri-commodities across India.

Who can benefit from e-RaKAM?

The e-RaKAM platform is designed to benefit multiple stakeholders across the agricultural value chain:

StakeholderBenefits / Features
Farmers– More selling options beyond local mandis
– Receive competitive prices, including MSP and above
– Direct e-payment to bank accounts, reducing delays
– Freedom from middlemen and low margins
Buyers, Processors & Exporters– Access a large, centralized national market
– Standardized auction and procurement procedures
– Secure online payment system
– Ability to source produce from multiple states
Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)– Facility to conduct collective e-auctions
– Better bargaining power for member farmers
– Support in aggregation and logistics
Nodal Agencies– Organizations like NAFED and FCI can:  
– e-Procure commodities  
– e-Book stocks  
– e-Auction surplus produce

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What are the key features of e-RaKAM?

The e-RaKAM portal has several important features that make it farmer-friendly and exam-relevant:

FeatureDetails
Exclusive Agri e-MarketDedicated e-auction platform only for agricultural products
Transparent Price DiscoveryCompetitive bidding ensures fair market prices
Direct Paymentse-Payment directly credited to farmers’ bank accounts
Multiple Auction ModesForward auction, e-booking, price-quantity e-auction, e-procurement
MSP SupportEnables MSP booking and sale beyond MSP
Integrated LogisticsWarehousing, pest control, first-mile & last-mile connectivity
Export FacilitationHelps link farmers to global markets
Pan-India Presencee-RaKAM centres spread across India
Digital India PushPromotes digital transactions in rural areas

What are the advantages of e-RaKAM for farmers?

e-RaKAM directly addresses long-standing issues faced by Indian farmers:

  • Breaks the vicious cycle of middlemen
  • Ensures timely and transparent payments
  • Allows produce consolidation before sale
  • Improves price realization
  • Provides access to national and international markets
  • Reduces post-harvest losses through warehousing and logistics

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How does e-RaKAM help buyers, exporters, and processors?

For buyers and exporters, e-RaKAM simplifies sourcing and procurement:

  • One-stop platform for agri procurement
  • Transparent bidding and standardized quality norms
  • Reduced transaction costs
  • Secure online payments
  • Easier access to bulk quantities from FPOs and warehouses

What is the role of MSTC and CRWC in e-RaKAM?

MSTC Limited and CRWC Limited play crucial roles in the functioning of e-RaKAM. MSTC Limited acts as the developer and operator of the e-auction platform, managing auction design, bidding processes, and payment systems while ensuring transparency and compliance. On the other hand, CRWC Limited provides logistics and warehousing support, handling pest control, storage, and transportation. It also supports first-mile and last-mile connectivity, facilitating exports and the physical delivery of agricultural produce.

How does e-RaKAM support the digital India initiative?

e-RaKAM plays a key role in promoting Digital India in rural sectors by:

  • Encouraging digital payments among farmers
  • Creating technology-enabled rural markets
  • Reducing dependence on physical mandis
  • Improving digital literacy through e-RaKAM centres
  • Increasing efficiency and transparency in agri trade

What was the initial focus of e-RaKAM?

At launch, the platform focused on auctioning pulses, as:

  • Around 20 lakh tonnes of pulses were lying idle in warehouses
  • There were limited buyers through traditional channels
  • e-RaKAM enabled faster auctions and price discovery
  • Helped manage price fluctuations due to rainfall or weather conditions

Also Check: List of Government Schemes of India

Questions Based on e-RaKAM (Exam Practice)

  1. e-RaKAM is developed by which organization?
    a) NABARD
    b) NAFED
    c) MSTC Limited
    d) FCI
    e) SEBI
  2. Which organization provides logistics support for e-RaKAM?
    a) FCI
    b) CRWC Limited
    c) NCDC
    d) APEDA
    e) SFAC
  3. e-RaKAM primarily aims to eliminate which issue in agriculture?
    a) Crop insurance
    b) Middlemen and low margins
    c) Input subsidies
    d) Credit access
    e) Land reforms
  4. Which commodities were initially focused under e-RaKAM?
    a) Fruits and vegetables
    b) Cotton and sugarcane
    c) Pulses and oilseeds
    d) Spices only
    e) Tea and coffee
  5. Which nodal agencies use e-RaKAM for e-procurement?
    a) RBI and SEBI
    b) NAFED and FCI
    c) NABARD and SIDBI
    d) NITI Aayog and MoF
    e) APEDA and DGFT

Also read

Government SchemesGovernment Schemes
One Nation One SubscriptionAyushman Bharat Scheme
Aatmanirbharta in PulsesNational Broadband Mission 2.0
Pradhan Mantri Dhan Krishi YojanaStand Up India Scheme
All About GST 2.0National Green Credit Programme

Answer Key

Question No.QuestionAnswer
1e-RaKAM is developed by which organization?c) MSTC Limited
2Which organization provides logistics support for e-RaKAM?b) CRWC Limited
3e-RaKAM primarily aims to eliminate which issue in agriculture?b) Middlemen and low margins
4Which commodities were initially focused under e-RaKAM?c) Pulses and oilseeds
5Which nodal agencies use e-RaKAM for e-procurement?b) NAFED and FCI

FAQs

1. What is e-RaKAM?

e-RaKAM is a digital e-auction platform for agricultural produce launched by the Government of India.

2. Who developed e-RaKAM?

e-RaKAM is developed by MSTC Limited with logistics support from CRWC Limited.

3. What is the main objective of e-RaKAM?

To ensure transparent price discovery and increase farmers’ income by reducing middlemen.

4. Which commodities were initially included in e-RaKAM?

Pulses and oilseeds were the initial focus of e-RaKAM.

5. How do farmers receive payment on e-RaKAM?

Payments are credited directly to farmers’ bank accounts via e-payment.