It is a matter of great pride that our initiative with the Government of Karnataka – ‘Unified Agriculture Market’ has won the Common Wealth Association of Public Administration International Innovation Awards – CAPAM 2018 in the ‘innovation in public services management’ category at Guyana on October 24, 2018.
The ‘Unified Agriculture Market’ is an initiative of Rashtriya e-Market Services Pvt. Ltd. (ReMS) – a joint venture company of Karnataka State Government and NeML. It leverages Unified Market Platform (UMP) for creating a State Agriculture Market (SAM) benefitting 5.2 million farmers by connecting 164 regulated agriculture markets and allowing inter-mandi trades within the state and inter-state trade for 92 agri commodities.
Competing with 40 projects from 8 commonwealth countries in the semi-finals, the UMP was adjudged the best initiative amongst 12 projects that made it to the finals. It was awarded the Gold Award for overall best project at CAPAM Awards, 2018 for transforming Karnataka’s primary agriculture markets and enhancing farmers’ income.
Introduced in 1998, the CAPAM International Innovations Awards (IIA) that are announced biennially, celebrate the spirit of public service by recognising the organisations that have made significant contributions to improving governance and services in the public sector.
Winning the recognition of the best initiative in all commonwealth countries is a testimony to the commitment of the State Government and NCDEX in enhancing farmers’ incomes through e-markets in India.