In a major push to strengthen agricultural education and research, the Odisha government has announced a monthly stipend for Postgraduate (PG) and Ph.D. students studying at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).

The initiative, announced by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Odisha, aims to provide financial assistance to students pursuing agriculture and allied disciplines while encouraging high-quality research and innovation.

The decision was taken following the efforts of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who said investing in young researchers is essential for securing the future of Odisha’s farming sector.

Under the new scheme, regular PG students enrolled in agriculture and allied courses at OUAT will receive a monthly stipend of ₹10,000 for two years. Ph.D. scholars will be provided ₹15,000 per month for up to three years.

According to the state government, the financial assistance is intended to reduce the economic burden on students, enabling them to concentrate on research, innovation and academic excellence without financial constraints.

“Investing in our young researchers means securing the future of Odisha’s farmers. With this assistance, our students can focus on new innovations and research without financial worries,” Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said.

The government believes the scheme will motivate meritorious students to pursue advanced studies in agriculture and allied sciences while strengthening the state’s agricultural research ecosystem.

The stipend will be available to all regular PG and Ph.D. students enrolled in agriculture and allied subjects at OUAT.

The announcement is expected to provide a significant boost to agricultural research in Odisha by encouraging more students to undertake higher education and contribute to developing innovative solutions for the state’s farming community.