CM Yogi Orders Mandi Modernisation, Wider e-NAM Rollout in UP
Synopsis
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed modernisation of all Uttar Pradesh mandis, maximum e-NAM digital platform linkage, expanded National Natural Farming Mission enrolment, and district-level organic produce certification — a three-pronged push to raise farmer market access and income.
Key Takeaways
CM Yogi Adityanath issued directives on 31 July 2026 for modernisation and revival of all agricultural mandis in Uttar Pradesh .
Maximum mandis are to be linked to the e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) digital trading platform, first launched nationally in 2016 .
More farmers are to be enrolled under the National Natural Farming Mission , which promotes chemical-free cultivation.
Every district in UP must establish a functional organic produce certification system to help farmers access premium markets.
UP began integrating mandis with e-NAM from 2017 ; Friday's order signals a push to accelerate coverage that has remained uneven.
Every farmer in Uttar Pradesh who has watched grain prices collapse at the mandi gate now has a directive aimed squarely at that problem. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's office announced on Friday, 31 July 2026 that he has ordered the modernisation and revival of all agricultural wholesale markets across the state, with a mandate to connect as many mandis as possible to the e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) digital trading platform and to expand the reach of the National Natural Farming Mission to more farmers.
What the directives actually say
The Chief Minister's Office stated that CM Yogi issued three specific instructions: upgrade and modernise all state mandis with contemporary infrastructure and facilities; link the maximum number of mandis to the e-NAM platform for transparent, online price discovery; and ensure that every district has a functioning certification system for organic produce. The third directive — district-level organic certification — is the sharpest operational ask, because it targets a gap that has long prevented farmers from realising premium prices even when they grow chemical-free crops.
e-NAM's journey in UP — from 2016 to now
e-NAM was launched nationally in 2016 to break apart India's fragmented mandi ecosystem, allowing buyers and sellers to trade across state lines through a single online portal. Uttar Pradesh began onboarding select mandis from 2017 onward under its state agriculture department. The pace of integration, however, has been uneven — a reality that Friday's directive implicitly acknowledges by calling for 'maximum' coverage rather than citing a specific number already achieved.
Natural farming push and the certification gap
The National Natural Farming Mission promotes chemical-free cultivation to cut input costs and restore soil health — a priority that dovetails with global demand for certified organic produce. The sticking point has always been certification: without a credible, accessible district-level process, farmers cannot command organic premiums in the market. By tying certification infrastructure to the same directive as mandi modernisation and e-NAM expansion, the CM's office is signalling an intent to close the loop between production and market realisation.
The immediate test will be in execution. Mandi modernisation requires tenders, funding allocation, and contractor timelines. e-NAM onboarding requires trained mandi staff and stable internet connectivity at market yards. Actual enrolment figures from the state agriculture department in the months ahead will tell whether Friday's directives translate into measurable change on the ground.
Point of View
The Natural Farming Mission — to demonstrate alignment while also generating visible state-level action. The district-level organic certification mandate is the most operationally specific ask and will be the hardest to fulfil quickly, making it the real measure of intent. For CM Yogi, agricultural market reform is also electoral arithmetic — UP's farm population is enormous, and tangible mandi upgrades are easier to campaign on than macroeconomic data. The risk is that directives without attached budgets and timelines become recurring announcements rather than durable reform.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is e-NAM and how does it help UP farmers?
e-NAM, or National Agriculture Market, is a central government electronic trading platform launched in 2016 that connects agricultural mandis across states, enabling online price discovery and inter-state trade. For UP farmers, linking their local mandis to e-NAM means more buyers, more transparent pricing, and reduced dependence on local intermediaries.
What did CM Yogi Adityanath order for UP mandis on 31 July 2026?
CM Yogi directed that all mandis in Uttar Pradesh be modernised with up-to-date facilities, that the maximum number of mandis be connected to the e-NAM platform, that more farmers be enrolled in the National Natural Farming Mission, and that every district set up an organic produce certification system.
What is the National Natural Farming Mission?
The National Natural Farming Mission is a central government initiative that encourages farmers to shift to chemical-free, natural farming methods in order to reduce input costs, improve soil health, and produce crops eligible for organic market premiums.
Why is district-level organic certification important for UP farmers?
Without a credible, accessible certification process, farmers who grow chemical-free or organic crops cannot officially label or sell their produce at premium organic prices. District-level certification infrastructure brings this process closer to farmers and removes a key barrier to higher income.
When did Uttar Pradesh start connecting mandis to e-NAM?
Uttar Pradesh began integrating select mandis with the e-NAM platform from 2017 onward under the state agriculture department, though coverage has remained uneven — which is what the July 2026 directive aims to address.
