Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra held a meeting with MLAs from western Odisha on Monday to discuss the registration process for paddy procurement for the Kharif season 2026-27.

The meeting was held at the minister’s residential office in Bhubaneswar and was attended by legislators from Sambalpur, Bargarh and Balangir districts. Discussions focused on ensuring that all eligible farmers can register easily and participate in the government’s paddy procurement process.

During the meeting, MLAs raised concerns and discussed doubts among farmers regarding registration for selling paddy during the upcoming Kharif season. A key issue was the Agristack registration process and whether it would be mandatory for farmers.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Minister Krushna Chandra Patra clarified that Agristack registration is not mandatory for farmers to participate in the paddy procurement process. He assured that no eligible farmer would be excluded from registration because of the requirement.

The minister said all eligible farmers would be registered and provided tokens for paddy procurement. He added that the government is committed to protecting the interests of farmers and ensuring that the procurement process remains accessible.

The minister also addressed the registration process for sharecroppers. He said sharecroppers are required to obtain the consent of the landowner for registration. However, landowners living away from their villages or districts will be able to provide their consent through a dedicated mobile application.

Minister Patra urged farmers to complete the registration process within the stipulated deadline. According to the minister, farmers can register for the Kharif 2026-27 paddy procurement process until August 31, 2026.

The government has reiterated its focus on ensuring that every eligible farmer gets an opportunity to participate in the procurement process without facing unnecessary difficulties.

The post Agristack Not Mandatory for Paddy Procurement Registration, Says Odisha Minister appeared first on Odisha Connect.

The post Farmers Left Helpless as Paddy Lies Unprocured in Odisha Mandis Amid Rain appeared first on Odisha Connect.

The 23rd installment of the PM Kisan Yojana was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Tarakeswar in Hooghly, West Bengal, with financial assistance of more than ₹18,880 crore transferred to the bank accounts of over 9.44 crore farmers across the country.

In Odisha, more than 34.64 lakh farmers received benefits under the scheme, with over ₹692.86 crore directly credited to their bank accounts.

PM Kisan Scheme Supports Farmers’ Agricultural Needs

The PM Kisan Yojana is a flagship farmer welfare initiative of the Central Government that provides financial support to eligible farmers for agricultural activities.

Under the scheme, farmers receive a total assistance of ₹6,000 annually in three equal installments, which helps them purchase seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other essential agricultural inputs.

The day was observed across the country and Odisha as ‘Rashtriya Krushak Utsav Divas’ to honour the contribution of farmers.

State-Level PM Kisan Event Held in Rairangpur

The state-level programme for distribution of PM Kisan assistance was organized by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment at Mahtab Bhawan Town Hall, Rairangpur, Mayurbhanj district.

Addressing farmers, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, highlighted Odisha’s initiatives for farmer welfare.

He said Odisha is among the states where the government is procuring paddy from farmers at ₹3,100 per quintal, including during the Rabi season.

Focus on Farmer Income and Export Growth

The Deputy Chief Minister stated that farmers in Odisha have achieved significant progress in recent years, with fruits and vegetables being successfully grown and exported to foreign markets.

He said these achievements reflect the vision of “If the farmer smiles, the nation smiles.”

He also urged farmers to adopt short-duration crop varieties in view of the possible impact of El Niño this year to protect production.

Government Encourages Pulses and Oilseeds Cultivation

Calling for greater agricultural self-reliance, Singh Deo encouraged farmers to increase cultivation of pulses and oilseeds.

He assured that the government would procure these crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), helping Odisha move towards self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds production.

Officials Highlight Registration Under PM Kisan Scheme

Agriculture Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav welcomed the gathering and appealed to all eligible farmers to register under PM Kisan Yojana to avail the benefits.

H&UD Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Agriculture Director Shubham Saxena, and senior departmental officials attended the programme.

The event was also broadcast across Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), agricultural institutions, and central and state agricultural universities across Odisha.

The post 23rd Installment of PM Kisan Yojana Released; Over ₹692 Crore Transferred to Odisha Farmers appeared first on Odisha Connect.

The post Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference 2026 Held in Bhubaneswar, Focus on Farmers’ Welfare and Agricultural Growth appeared first on Odisha Connect.

The paddy procurement process for the ongoing kharif season has commenced in Deogarh district, marking an important step in the state government’s efforts to ensure timely procurement and fair remuneration for farmers.

Procurement is being carried out through 51 mandis across the district, covering 21,414 registered farmers this season. To ensure smooth operations, the administration has deployed 51 Mandi Nodal Officers along with 13 supervising officers to monitor the process.

Compared to last year, the number of registered farmers has increased significantly from 19,662, while two additional mandis have been brought under operation this year. The total registered paddy cultivation area has also risen to 62,747 acres, up from 58,249 acres in the previous kharif season.

Officials said that a satellite survey of all registered paddy-cultivated areas has been completed to ensure transparency and prevent irregularities. Basic facilities have been arranged at all mandis, and CCTV cameras have been installed to strengthen monitoring and accountability.

Meanwhile, paddy procurement is already underway in several other districts including Bargarh, Nuapada, Sambalpur, Kalahandi, Sundargarh, Subarnapur and Balangir. As of now, a total of 3,05,050 metric tonnes of paddy has been procured from 67,250 farmers across these districts.

In terms of payments, the government has already disbursed ₹447.22 crore as Minimum Support Price (MSP) and an additional ₹138 crore as input assistance to farmers.

Officials stated that procurement in the remaining districts will begin in a phased manner, with all necessary preparations currently underway. Registered farmers are being informed in advance, and tokens are being issued to avoid overcrowding at mandis.

The state government has ensured that MSP payments are credited to farmers’ bank accounts within 48 hours through an Aadhaar-linked e-KYC payment system. Adequate facilities have also been arranged at procurement centres to support farmers during the process.

The government reiterated its commitment to farmer welfare, stating that multiple initiatives are being implemented for the overall development and financial security of farmers across the state.

The post Paddy Procurement Begins in Deogarh District; Over 21,000 Farmers Registered This Kharif appeared first on Odisha Connect.

Tensions flared in the Odisha Legislative Assembly as BJD MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain and Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, the Raja of Patangarh, engaged in a heated verbal exchange over paddy procurement and cold storage issues.

Clash During Discussion on SAR Scheme

The confrontation erupted while members were debating the SAR (Summer and Anticipatory Rice) scheme. Swain, taking aim at the BJP government, remarked,
“A government that failed to implement SAR, how can it promise cold storage facilities?”

Deputy CM Deo quickly responded, defending his administration while turning the criticism back on Swain:
“You, as a Minister of Agriculture in the last government, didn’t build any cold storage units, so why do you ask?”

Accusations and Counterclaims

Deo described the opposition’s protests as a “manufactured agitation” and highlighted the BJP government’s success in procuring over 2 lakh metric tonnes of paddy for farmers. He challenged Swain by asking,
“How many MLAs from your side have actually visited the procurement sites to verify the ground reality?”

In a final sarcastic jab, Deo added,
“While you were doing cold storage, we were not; you will see how we do it now.”

Political and Farmer Implications

The heated exchange, marked by references to nobility and sharp accusations, brought intense energy to the House. Farmers of Odisha continue to face delays in payments and storage shortages, and this confrontation signals a widening divide between the ruling BJP and the opposition BJD, hinting at more clashes in future assembly sessions.

The post Odisha Assembly Erupts: Deputy CM Exposes BJD’s Past Failures on Farmer Aid appeared first on Odisha Connect.