The Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Department has declared the Unique Farmer Number mandatory for selling produce at government procurement centres before the Kharif season. Out of a target of 6.471 million IDs, 5.183 million farmers are already registered, with a rapid awareness drive planned for the remainder.

  • Farmer ID now compulsory for all government procurement transactions
  • AP Markfed and Civil Supplies Corp will purchase only from land parcels linked to a valid ID
  • 5.183 million IDs issued; 1.288 million farmers still need registration

In a review meeting held on Monday, the Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Department announced that the Unique Farmer Number (Farmer ID) will be mandatory for farmers wishing to sell their harvest at any government procurement centre ahead of the upcoming Kharif procurement season.

Director of Agriculture Manazir Jeelani Samoon

Read Also:Quebec Maintains Caution Over Canada-US Trade Deal as Ottawa Seeks to Restore US Alcohol Imports

AP Markfed, responsible for procuring pulses such as green gram, black gram, red gram and chickpea, and the Civil Supplies Corporation, which purchases paddy, have been instructed to buy only from plots that are linked to a verified Farmer ID. This move aims to improve traceability, reduce fraudulent transactions, and ensure that subsidies reach the right beneficiaries.

The state’s target is to issue 6.471 million Farmer IDs. To date, 5.183 million farmers have received their IDs, leaving roughly 1.288 million pending. Field officers have been directed to intensify awareness campaigns and facilitate the remaining registrations.

Samoon also ordered Common Service Centres (CSCs) to proactively assist farmers in obtaining IDs. In a virtual interaction with CSC State Coordinator Ravi Kumar, he urged the centres to help every farmer who visits complete the registration on the spot.

Representatives from AP Markfed, the Civil Supplies Corporation, the Digital Agriculture Division, the Agriculture Ministry and TCS attended the meeting, underscoring the multi‑agency coordination required for a seamless rollout.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that making the Farmer ID mandatory will curb illegal or untracked procurement, ensure accurate beneficiary identification for subsidies and insurance, and accelerate the digital transformation of the agricultural supply chain.

"Full linkage of farmer IDs to land parcels will dramatically improve transparency and efficiency in the agri‑procurement ecosystem," says agricultural economist Dr. Anita Rao.
Did You Know?: Andhra Pradesh launched the first state‑wide farmer ID portal in 2019, and today over 75% of rural households have a digital profile linked to their land records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I still sell my produce at a government centre without a Farmer ID?
A: No. From the upcoming Kharif season onward, only farmers with a valid Farmer ID linked to their land parcel will be allowed to sell at government procurement centres.

Q2: How do I obtain my Farmer ID?
A: Visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) or use the official online portal. You will need basic identification documents and land records; the process is typically completed within a single visit.