| Digital Marketplace in Agriculture | ||
|---|---|---|
A digital marketplace is an online platform or mobile app where farmers can:
- Sell their produce directly to buyers (retailers, wholesalers, exporters)
- Buy seeds, fertilizers, and machinery at better prices
- Get weather, market, and pest alerts
- Access loans, crop insurance, and subsidies
- Learn from experts through training videos or chat
In short, it connects Farm → Market → Services → Finance → Knowledge on one digital platform — creating a “Digital Ecosystem.”
Key Benefits for Farmers
Better Prices: Farmers can sell directly, no middlemen cut.
Market Transparency: Real-time mandi and price updates.
Easy Access to Buyers: Buyers from other cities or even abroad.
Online Purchase of Inputs: Quality seeds, fertilizers, pesticides at low cost.
Financial Access: Loans, crop insurance, and digital payments become easy.
Knowledge & Training: Expert guidance, videos, and crop advisories.
Reduces Risk: Apps give weather alerts and pest warnings early.
Examples of Popular Digital Platforms for Farmers
| Platform / App | Main Services | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|
| e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) | Online mandi connecting 1,000+ mandis across India | Sell crops at national-level prices |
| Agri bazaar | Digital platform for trading crops | Payment protection & logistics support |
| DeHaat (Bihar-based startup) | Input supply, advisory, and market link | Serves 1.5 million farmers across 10 states |
| Ninja cart | Connects farmers with retailers (like Big basket, Reliance) | Fast digital payments |
| Kisan connect | Farm-to-home delivery of fresh produce | Farmers earn 25–40% more |
| Farming / Crop in | Farm monitoring via satellite + mobile app | Disease alerts & data dashboard |
| Reliance Jio Krishi App | Real-time market & weather info | Works even in remote areas |
| Tractor Junction / EM 3 / Trr ingo | Machinery rental & buy/sell | Affordable equipment access |
It Helps Village Farmers
Example Scenario:
A farmer in Bihar growing tomatoes uses:
- DeHaat App → Buys hybrid tomato seeds
- e-NAM → Checks current mandi rates
- Ninja cart → Sells directly to city retailers
- Kisan Credit Card (KCC) → Gets loan via app
- Fasal / Skymet → Gets weather alerts
Result: 30–40% more income, lower cost, zero middleman.
Digital Ecosystem Components
A complete Digital Agri Ecosystem includes:
- Digital Market Linkages – e-NAM, DeHaat, Agri bazaar
- Input & Supply Chain – buy seeds, fertilizers online
- Digital Finance – Kisan Credit Card (online), microloans, crop insurance
- Knowledge Sharing – YouTube / app-based training, WhatsApp groups
- Weather & Advisory Systems – real-time forecasts & pest alerts
- Smart Logistics – vehicle booking, cold storage tracking
Government Support & Initiatives
| Initiative | Description |
|---|---|
| e-NAM (Electronic National Agriculture Market) | Unified national platform for buying/selling produce |
| Digital Agriculture Mission (2021–2026) | Focus on AI, drones, IoT, and blockchain in farming |
| Agri stack Project | Database of all farmers for direct benefits |
| PM KISAN Samman Nidhi | Direct cash transfer digitally to farmers |
| Kisan Credit Card (KCC) | Apply and manage digitally via PM-Kisan portal |