To provide a platform to sell agricultural produce, the government yesterday launched a portal, e-RaKAM. This portal is a joint initiative by state-run-auctioneer MSTC and Central Warehousing Corporation arm CRWC. E-RaKAM is developed by MSTC Limited and supported by marketing & logistics partner CRWC Limited.
The effort should be to auction 20 lakh tonnes of pulses in the first phase through the platform, said Food & Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan.
Paswan said, "I personally feel that we should start with auctioning of pulses as we have them in abundance. Twenty lakh tonnes of pulses were lying idle at warehouse and it still has no buyers. E-RaKAM will help us and farmers hugely."
As per a joint statement issued by MSTC and CRWC, Paswan said that, initial hurdles will be there as most of the farmers are illiterate and are in bad condition. Even transport will face initial hurdles that will be sorted out over time
It added that now various crops whose price increases due to rainfall or bad weather conditions, will be managed and get the market.
"Our aim is to strengthen the agriculture-oriented Indian economy and farmers, who play a vital role in national development. I congratulate all for the launch of e-RaKAM," said Steel Minister Singh.
To connect farmers of the smallest villages to the biggest markets of the world through internet and e-RaKAM centres, E-RaKAM is a first-of-its-kind initiative that leverages technology.
To ease the selling and buying process of agricultural products, E-RaKAM is a digital initiative bringing together the farmers, FPOs, PSUs, civil supplies and buyers on a single platform.
Under this initiative, to facilitate farmers for online sale of their produce, e-RaKAM centres are being developed in a phased manner throughout the country and farmers would be paid through e-Payment directly into their bank accounts.
