The Agriculture Ministry has made Aadhaar authentication mandatory for availing benefits under the e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) scheme.

• This applies to both individual farmers and farmer producer organizations (FPOs).

About e-NAM

• e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) is a pan-India electronic trading portal that connects APMC mandis to create a unified market for farm produce. 

• Funding and Ministry: The platform is fully funded by the Central Government and falls under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
• Implementing Agency: It is implemented by the Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC).
  • Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) is an Autonomous Society promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture. 
    • It is focused on increasing incomes of small and marginal farmers through aggregation and development of agribusiness.
• Current Scope of e-NAM:
  • 17.9 million farmers and over 4,400 FPOs are registered with the platform.
  • 1,473 mandis across 23 states and 4 Union Territories are integrated with e-NAM.
• Benefits under e-NAM
  • Grants of up to ₹75 lakh per mandi for infrastructure development:
  • ₹30 lakh for ICT equipment and internet
  • ₹40 lakh for processing and packaging facilities
  • ₹5 lakh for composting units
• Biometric & Offline Verification: If biometric authentication fails (e.g., fingerprint/iris scan issues), alternative methods will be used: QR code scanning and Paperless e-KYC.

Objective of Making Aadhaar Mandatory

• Aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability in agri-market transactions.
• Part of the government’s broader push to link welfare schemes with Aadhaar to prevent duplication and ensure targeted benefit transfers.

Alternative Documentation Provision 

• Farmers who don’t have Aadhaar yet can avail benefits until their Aadhaar number is issued by providing:
  • Aadhaar enrolment proof
  • A valid government-issued ID (e.g., voter card, ration card, passport, school certificate)