Farmers Welfare / Odisha Farmers to Get AgriStack ID Cards to Simplify Paddy Sales and Subsidy Access

Bhubaneswar, Aug 10: Odisha farmers are set to receive a unique identification card similar to Aadhaar, called the AgriStack ID, aimed at streamlining agricultural services and benefits.

Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari announced that government officials will visit farmers directly to facilitate registration, ensuring that even those unable to reach cooperative societies are included.

Registration will primarily be carried out through cooperative societies, with officials assisting farmers at their doorsteps when necessary.

Also read: Odisha Eclipses Telangana in Paddy Farmers benefitted; Will AgriStack ID Derail?

Once generated, the AgriStack ID will serve as a digital identity card containing vital agricultural information such as loans availed, seeds, fertilizers, and other farming-related details.

The registration process will involve officials from the agriculture, revenue, and cooperative departments, who will collect necessary data from farmers.

Addressing concerns, Minister Pujari clarified that farmers without AgriStack IDs will still be able to sell paddy this year. “We want to reassure farmers that the sale of paddy is in no way linked to the AgriStack ID. Farmers can continue selling their produce without it,” clarified the Revenue Minister in the press conference.

“As far as the ID is concerned, the department officials will reach out to them and guide them to get their AgriStack IDs,” he added.

He assured that registration deadlines could be extended if required, and even farmers residing abroad will be able to register using eye scans. The initiative aims to bring farmers’ data onto a structured digital platform, making access to government schemes and services more efficient.

“The press conference followed a high‑level meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister KV Singh Deo. Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Food Supplies Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta, along with senior officials from the agriculture, food supplies, revenue, and cooperation departments, were also in attendance.”

The Cooperation Minister emphasized that AgriStack ID is not mandatory. Currently, around six lakh farmers have registered, while nearly 20 lakh farmers sell paddy annually. The government aims to register at least 10 lakh farmers this year.

He reiterated that farmers can sell paddy without AgriStack IDs, but added: “The card will simplify future transactions such as paddy sales, fertilizer distribution, and access to subsidies.”

He also slammed the opposition groups’ attempts to mislead farmers, stressing that the scheme is designed solely for their convenience.

Additionally, land mutation processes are expected to be completed by August 30. Sharecroppers can register for AgriStack IDs by submitting undertakings from landowners.

The government believes this initiative will modernize agricultural administration and ensure farmers receive timely benefits.