Impact of e-mandi on commodity prices using double difference method

Abstract

Study on impact of electronic initiatives vis-à-vis e-mandi on agricultural marketing was carried out in selected APMC markets of Karnataka during the year 2017. E mandi provides complete end to end solution by computerizing of all the activities from gate entry to exit. One of the important provisions under this system are electronic tendering instead of manual tendering, integration of APMC markets and online payment etc. Electronic tendering process reduces the malpractices like price manipulations etc. and brings higher competition and efficiency in marketing process. Price realization in e-mandi is more compare to prices in non e-mandi. In copra and onion Rs. 292 and 113 higher prices compare to prices in non e-mandi, respectively. Majority of the stakeholders involved in e-mandi are satisfied with the different provisions of e-mandi. But, some of the components like participation of traders from different APMC market, lack of proper grading system and online payment system is not upto satisfactory level, which hinders the farmers to realize better prices for their produce.