Bhubaneswar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday inaugurated India’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)–based Public Distribution System (PDS), marking a major step towards digitising welfare delivery for nearly 80 crore beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Under the system, programmable e-Rupee tokens will be credited to beneficiaries’ RBI-linked digital wallets. These…
Bhubaneswar: In a major push to enhance transparency and prevent land-related fraud, the Odisha government is set to introduce QR code–enabled land pattas for property transactions, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari announced. Under the proposed system, the Record of Rights (RoR) will carry a unique QR code that can be scanned to instantly access verified land…
Bhubaneswar: Several farmers’ organisations, including Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), its non-political breakaway faction, and the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), have criticised the interim India–US trade agreement framework and announced nationwide protests next week. In a statement issued on Saturday, the SKM alleged that the proposed deal amounted to a “total surrender” of Indian agriculture…
Bhubaneswar: A publicity chariot was flagged off on Thursday to promote the 20th edition of the Toshali Swadeshi Mela, scheduled to be held from February 14 to 26 at Janata Maidan, Bhubaneswar. The mela aims to showcase indigenous handlooms, handicrafts and local products under the theme “Swadeshi and Atmanirbhar.” The promotional campaign was inaugurated at…
Bhubaneswar: India is set to host a global Women in Agriculture conference in March, bringing international attention to the often under-recognised role of women in farming and agri-food systems. Women constitute nearly half of India’s agricultural workforce, yet their contributions frequently remain invisible in policy, data, and decision-making. The conference will bring together over 500…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced that Mission Shakti community support staff across the state will be provided with uniforms, identity cards, and smartphones starting April 1, in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots implementation of women-centric welfare programmes. The initiative will cover around 46,000 Mission Shakti workers, including Community Resource Persons (CRPs), who play…
Bhubaneswar: The Centre has announced targeted support for agarwood cultivation in Assam and other North Eastern states, aiming to diversify farm outputs, enhance productivity, increase farmers’ incomes, and generate new employment opportunities in the region. Making the announcement in her Union Budget speech on Sunday, February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government would…
Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Sunday announced a series of statewide protests, culminating in a massive public rally in Bhubaneswar on February 24, alleging farmer distress, delayed paddy procurement, and a breakdown of law and order under the BJP-led Odisha government. Addressing a press conference, senior BJD leaders Debi Prasad Mishra, Sanjay Das…
Bhubaneswar: The Central University of Odisha (CUO) and the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in agricultural research, education and extension activities. The agreement aims to promote the exchange of students, scientists and faculty members, along with sharing research methodologies, technologies and scientific…
Bhubaneswar: In a major milestone for Odisha’s agricultural sector, fresh strawberries grown in Dhenkanal district have been exported to London for the first time, marking a new chapter in the state’s horticulture history. A total of 52 kilograms of fresh strawberries cultivated in Neelakanthapur village under Bhuban block and Ramei Khamar village under Gandia block…