Odisha: AgriStack ID not mandatory for Kharif paddy sale, govt clarifies
Synopsis
Odisha has drawn a clear line: AgriStack Farmer ID is welcome, but not a gatekeeper. With 94,657 farmers already registered and Balasore leading the count, the state is pushing for 50% coverage while guaranteeing that every farmer — registered or not — can sell paddy this Kharif season. Special guidelines for sharecroppers are also in the works, signalling a broader push for inclusion.
Key Takeaways
Odisha Government confirmed on 10 August 2026 that AgriStack registration is not mandatory for Kharif 2026-27 paddy procurement.
Both registered and unregistered farmers can sell paddy; slips with or without AgriStack ID are valid.
94,657 farmers have registered so far for Kharif 2026-27, with Balasore leading in registrations.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee targets 50% farmer registration coverage for the Kharif season.
In Rabi 2025-26 , 20.46 lakh metric tonnes were procured from 3,63,553 farmers ; ₹4,844 crore disbursed in MSP and input assistance.
Special guidelines for sharecroppers are being formulated to ease their participation in procurement.
The Odisha Government on Monday, 10 August 2026 clarified that AgriStack registration is not mandatory for farmers wishing to sell paddy during the Kharif procurement season 2026-27, assuring that no farmer will be turned away for lack of a Farmer ID. The clarification came after an Inter-Ministerial Committee meeting held in Bhubaneswar to review procurement readiness ahead of the upcoming season.
Key Clarification on Registration
The state government confirmed that both registration slips — with and without AgriStack registration — are valid for paddy procurement. Farmers can currently register at the nearest Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) and Common Service Centres (CSCs). The government's position is unambiguous: registration is encouraged, but not a precondition to sell.
Inter-Ministerial Meeting Details
The committee meeting was chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo. It was attended by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, and Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta. The committee set a target of registering at least 50% of farmers for the Kharif season, with the Agriculture, Food Supplies, and Cooperation departments coordinating at the administrative level, supported by the Revenue Department.
Registration Progress and Awareness Drives
So far, 94,657 farmers have registered to sell paddy for Kharif 2026-27, with Balasore recording the highest number of registrations statewide. To counter misinformation, the government has launched awareness drives at the sub-division and Gram Panchayat levels across Odisha. Village Agricultural Workers (VAWs) are being deployed to assist farmers with registration, and officials have been directed to issue registration receipts to all applicants.
Rabi 2025-26 Procurement Review
The meeting also reviewed the recently concluded Rabi 2025-26 procurement season, during which 20.46 lakh metric tonnes of paddy were procured from 3,63,553 farmers — up from 19.18 lakh metric tonnes in 2024-25. As of the meeting date, ₹4,844 crore has been disbursed as Minimum Support Price (MSP) and input assistance to 3,63,149 farmers.
Sharecroppers and AgriStack Background
The government is also formulating special guidelines for sharecroppers to address potential difficulties in the registration and procurement process — a segment historically underserved by formal agricultural support systems. AgriStack is an integrated farmer platform that consolidates farmer data and generates a unique Farmer ID to facilitate seamless access to government benefits. To date, around 6,00,000 farmers have registered on the platform across Odisha. The state government reiterated its commitment to ensuring that no farmer in Odisha is excluded from selling their paddy crop this season.
Point of View
657 farmers registered against a target of 50% coverage, the gap is wide, and the Kharif window is tight. The sharecropper guidelines, still being 'formulated', are the real test: this is the segment most likely to fall through digital registration nets, and vague assurances will not substitute for a clear, enforceable framework before procurement begins.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AgriStack registration mandatory for selling paddy in Odisha's Kharif 2026-27 season?
No. The Odisha Government has clarified that AgriStack registration is not mandatory for Kharif 2026-27 paddy procurement. Both registration slips — with and without a Farmer ID — are valid, and no farmer will be denied the right to sell their produce for lack of AgriStack registration.
What is AgriStack and how does it work?
AgriStack is an integrated farmer data platform that consolidates farmer information and generates a unique Farmer ID upon registration. The ID is designed to facilitate seamless access to government agricultural benefits and schemes. Around 6,00,000 farmers in Odisha have registered on the platform so far.
Where can farmers register for paddy procurement in Odisha?
Farmers can register at the nearest Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) or Common Service Centres (CSCs). Village Agricultural Workers (VAWs) are also available to assist with the registration process, and officials are required to provide registration receipts to all applicants.
How did Odisha's Rabi 2025-26 paddy procurement compare to the previous year?
During Rabi 2025-26, Odisha procured 20.46 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from 3,63,553 farmers, up from 19.18 lakh metric tonnes in 2024-25. A total of ₹4,844 crore has been disbursed as MSP and input assistance to 3,63,149 farmers.
What provisions are being made for sharecroppers in Odisha's paddy procurement?
The Odisha Government is currently formulating special guidelines for sharecroppers to address potential difficulties they may face in the registration and procurement process. Specific details of these guidelines have not yet been released.
