DigiHaat: ONDC's New Initiative to Empower Artisans and Farmers in Digital Commerce
Synopsis
Discover how ONDC's DigiHaat is transforming the landscape for India's artisans and farmers by connecting them to digital markets, thereby formalizing the informal economy and empowering underserved communities.
Key Takeaways
DigiHaat connects rural sellers with online markets.
Focus on empowering women entrepreneurs and self-help groups.
Diverse range of products including handicrafts and agricultural goods .
Integrated mobility services enhance user experience.
Aims to onboard 10 crore small producers to boost incomes.
New Delhi, March 27 (NationPress) The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has officially launched its latest initiative, DigiHaat, aimed at integrating India's artisans, farmers, and small producers into the realm of digital commerce. This ambitious move comes as the government strives to formalize the country's extensive informal economy, as revealed on Friday.
Inaugurated by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), DigiHaat serves as a specialized buyer-side platform, establishing direct connections between rural sellers and online marketplaces.
In contrast to other applications within the ONDC network that are operated by private entities, DigiHaat signifies ONDC's own marketplace involvement and also functions as a testing site for new features prior to their rollout across the network.
The platform showcases a diverse array of products such as handicrafts, agricultural goods, packaged foods, and lifestyle items.
DigiHaat places a strong emphasis on empowering women entrepreneurs and supporting self-help groups (SHGs) from remote areas.
Among the sellers currently featured on the platform are block-print textile artisans from Jaipur, bronze craftsmen from Bastar, shawl makers from Kashmir, and organic farming cooperatives from Sikkim.
In a groundbreaking step, DigiHaat has also incorporated mobility services into its offerings. The ride-hailing service Namma Yatri is now operational on the app, alongside Bharat Taxi, which primarily serves Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Further expansion of mobility providers is anticipated in the upcoming months, as per official statements.
To facilitate the digital onboarding process, a Beta AI toolkit is under development for small-scale and rural sellers.
This toolkit includes vernacular cataloguing features enabling sellers to operate in regional languages, automated product listings generated from images, and logistics intelligence aimed at minimizing delivery failures and returns.
The government has set a bold objective of onboarding nearly 10 crore small producers—encompassing farmers, weavers, dairy operators, tribal enterprises, and artisans—onto the platform.
The overarching aim is to enhance incomes and integrate these communities into the formal financial system, rather than merely concentrating on boosting online sales.
ONDC operates under the aegis of DPIIT, with the mission of establishing an open and decentralized alternative to conventional e-commerce platforms.
Point of View
I observe that ONDC's DigiHaat represents a significant step towards integrating India's vast informal economy into the digital space. This initiative has the potential to empower countless individuals, especially women, while providing a much-needed boost to local products and services.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DigiHaat support women entrepreneurs?
DigiHaat focuses on empowering women entrepreneurs and self-help groups by providing them with access to digital markets and resources.
What types of products are available on DigiHaat?
The platform features a diverse range of products, including handicrafts, agricultural goods, packaged foods, and lifestyle items.
What mobility services are integrated into DigiHaat?
DigiHaat has integrated ride-hailing services like Namma Yatri and Bharat Taxi to enhance mobility for its users.
What is the government's goal with DigiHaat?
The government aims to onboard nearly 10 crore small producers onto DigiHaat to boost incomes and formalize the informal economy.
