Bhubaneswar, Aug. 10 (UDN): The Odisha government is set to introduce a unique Agristack ID for farmers, aimed at creating a digital identity for cultivators and making it easier for them to access government schemes and agricultural benefits.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced the initiative on Monday following a high-level meeting involving ministers from the Revenue, Agriculture, Panchayati Raj, Food Supplies and Cooperation departments.
Agristack ID To Serve As Digital Farmer Identity
According to the Revenue Minister, the Agristack ID will function as a unique identification number for farmers, similar in purpose to Aadhaar. Once generated, farmers will receive a dedicated identity card containing key information related to their agricultural activities.
The initiative is expected to help the government identify genuine beneficiaries and ensure that assistance and welfare schemes reach eligible farmers more efficiently.
Registration Through Cooperative Societies
The registration process is currently being conducted through cooperative societies across the state.
Officials will also assist farmers who are unable to visit cooperative institutions personally. In such cases, government personnel will visit the farmers at their locations to complete the registration process.
A special provision has also been introduced for farmers who are currently staying outside Odisha. They can complete the registration process, including the required eye-scan procedure, through video conferencing, according to the minister.
Multi-Department Coordination
The Agriculture, Revenue and Cooperation departments will work jointly to implement the programme and ensure that the registration process runs smoothly.
The government has set August 31 as the current deadline for registration. However, the minister said the deadline may be extended if necessary and assured that efforts would be made to ensure farmers face no difficulties during enrolment.
The Agristack initiative is expected to create a comprehensive digital database of farmers and strengthen the delivery of agricultural schemes, subsidies and other government support directly to eligible beneficiaries.