Bhubaneswar, July 22: Responding to widespread complaints from farmers, the Odisha government has announced a major simplification in the farmer registration process of paddy procurement for the upcoming Kharif season, officials said on Tuesday.

The move comes after farmers reported difficulties registering due to land-ownership being in the name of their fathers or grandfathers.

In a high-level meeting chaired by Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, the State government today decided that sons cultivating ancestral land can now register as farmers, even if the land is not officially in their name. If one brother cultivates the entire family land, he can register with written consent from other siblings.

The registration period runs from July 19 to August 20, with verification of farmer details to be completed by September 9. The final list of eligible farmers will be published by September 30.

To curb fraudulent registrations, the government has launched a statewide campaign to identify fake farmers. All registrants must now complete mandatory e-KYC, including Aadhaar authentication. This step aims to ensure that only genuine cultivators benefit from government procurement schemes.

Farmers previously faced hurdles such as submitting legal heir certificates and letters of consent, which led to delays and confusion. The new guidelines are expected to streamline the process and reduce harassment.

Minister Patra emphasized that the government is committed to transparency and inclusivity, ensuring that every genuine farmer is recognized and supported.

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