IFFCO has launched an e-commerce platform and app, ‘IFFCO iMandi’ to digitally connect farmers with all the cooperative societies in the country. It was launched by IFFCO in partnership with Singapore-based iMandi with an investment of around ₹80 crores.
In a bid to support rural digitization, ‘IFFCO iMandi’ has the potential to become the country’s largest rural e-commerce platform catering to 5.5 crore farmers associated with the cooperative.
“After spearheading the campaign across India to sensitize the farmers about the use of online and digital transactions, we are proud to come up with an app ‘IFFCO iMandi’. It is a ‘one-stop shop’ for agri inputs and produce, FMCG, electronics, loans, insurance etc,” IFFCO Managing Director U S Awasthi said.
‘IFFCO iMandi’ doesn’t just connect the farmers with cooperatives but also provides a bunch of features for the farmers. It provides a marketplace where farmers can connect with other farmers to buy and sell their products online. On the platform, IFFCO’s products like fertilizers, agrochemicals, and seeds will be available to the farmers at discounts, along with free delivery at their doorsteps.
Along with buying and selling feature, it will also provide relevant news for the farmers, educating them about the new farming techniques and products to improve the quality and quantity of their produce. A discussion forum could be used by the farmers to post any query which would be addressed by a community of experts. This platform also provides the farmers an option to connect with family and friends using the chat and calling feature to keep them engaged.
IFFCO iMandi is available as a web platform, along with an application that is available on both Android and iOS devices. Since the application is available to its users in 10 major Indian languages, it will have better penetration considering farmers are more comfortable with their regional languages.
There is a need to empower the farmers of the country and this initiative is a step in the right direction. Agritech industry has a lot to offer and lot to gain by reaching the farmers who have been left from this startup revolution that is sweeping the country.
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