Amit Shah Launches NAFEX Portal; Unveils Four Digital Initiatives For NAFED

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Monday launched NAFEX.in, the e-auction portal of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED), in New Delhi.

NAFED also unveiled three additional initiatives, DRISHTI, ERP and NAFED Kalyan, to enhance operational efficiency, transparency and support for farmers.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Minister of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar, Cooperation Secretary Ashish Kumar Bhutani, NAFED Chairman Jethabhai Ahir and other senior officials attended the launch event.

Addressing the gathering, Shah highlighted NAFED’s transformation from a financially distressed organisation in 2014 to a profitable institution. He said NAFED now serves more than 74 lakh farmers. He added that the organisation records a turnover of ₹30,000 crore and earns profits of around ₹500 crore.

Shah emphasised the role of NAFED and the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF) in helping India achieve self-reliance in pulses. He called for the rapid expansion of direct procurement systems.

The Minister said farmers should be able to sell their produce directly to these organisations. He added that the system would ensure fair prices and reduce dependence on intermediaries.

The Minister said procurement infrastructure for pulses, maize and other crops has expanded over the past three years. He expressed confidence that within two years, farmers across the country would be able to sell pulses directly to NAFED and NCCF.

Shah said the direct procurement system would reduce farmers’ dependence on intermediaries. He added that the organisations would credit payments directly to farmers’ bank accounts.

Shah also highlighted NAFED’s expansion into organic farming, seed production, retail operations, bio-fertiliser manufacturing, food security and international trade. He said the organisation’s turnover has risen from ₹20,000 crore to ₹30,000 crore, while its net worth has increased from ₹358 crore to ₹2,050 crore.

In a major welfare initiative, the Minister announced that NAFED will dedicate one per cent of its profits to scholarships for children from farming families.

The organisation will also support their career development through dedicated programmes.

Before his address, Shah paid tribute to Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his Balidan Diwas.

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