Odisha Krushi Unnata Sahayogi Internship Programme: Stipend for Agriculture Students

Krushi Unnata Sahayogi (KUS) Internship Programme, implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, gives final-year agriculture and horticulture students an opportunity to work directly with farmers and agriculture officials for three months. Participants receive a stipend of Rs. 21,000 and an official completion certificate after successfully finishing the internship.

Introduction of Odisha Krushi Unnata Sahayogi (KUS) Internship Programme: A Brief Insight

Agriculture students spend years learning about crops, pests, soil, and farming techniques in classrooms. However, real farming conditions can only be understood by working directly with farmers in the field. The Krushi Unnata Sahayogi (KUS) Internship Programme was introduced to bridge this gap between academic learning and practical experience.

The programme is implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha through the Directorate of Agriculture and Food Production. The expanded 2026 edition was inaugurated on 3 October 2026 by Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo at OUAT, Bhubaneswar.

The main objective of the programme is to strengthen agriculture extension services at the grassroots level while giving students hands-on exposure to real farming challenges. Through this initiative, final-year agriculture and horticulture students work alongside agriculture officials and interact closely with farmers in villages.

As Krushi Unnata Sahayogis, students help in pest and disease surveillance through e-Pest and NPSS platforms, conduct farmer surveys, carry out crop cutting experiments, and spread awareness about government agriculture schemes and digital farming services.

On successful completion of the internship, each participant receives a stipend of Rs. 21,000 along with an official completion certificate issued by the Chief District Agriculture Officer. These benefits make the programme valuable not only for learning but also for building a stronger professional profile.

In the 2026 edition, 964 final-year B.Sc. Agriculture and B.Sc. Horticulture students have been deployed across all 314 blocks in 30 districts of Odisha. The internship runs for three months, from October to December, during the important Kharif season.

There is currently no public online application portal for the programme. Students are selected and nominated through their universities and colleges. Those interested in future batches should stay in touch with their college coordinator and the Agriculture Department for updates.

Students from farming families who need financial support for their studies can also explore the Krishi Vidya Nidhi Yojana. Those planning higher education after graduation may find assistance through the PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme.

Agriculture students, aspiring agri-professionals, and readers looking for more education and farmer welfare initiatives can explore our complete collection of Odisha Government Welfare Schemes List for the latest opportunities and benefits.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

The Krushi Unnata Sahayogi (KUS) Internship Programme rewards students for practical field work while helping them gain real experience in agriculture extension, farmer outreach, and crop monitoring. Along with financial support, participants receive valuable exposure that can strengthen their future career prospects.

Financial Support

• A stipend of Rs. 21,000 for successfully completing the three-month internship programme
• The stipend amount is transferred directly to the student’s bank account after completion of all assigned activities and verification of performance

Official Recognition

• A completion certificate issued by the Chief District Agriculture Officer (CDAO) of the concerned district
• The five best-performing Krushi Unnata Sahayogis are selected at the end of the programme to present their field observations, experiences, and recommendations

Practical Field Learning

During the internship, students work closely with farmers and agriculture officials while carrying out a wide range of field assignments.

• Conducting pest and disease surveillance through the e-Pest platform and the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS)
• Surveying 100 farmers to collect information on farming practices, challenges, innovations, and success stories
• Carrying out five semi-physical Crop Cutting Experiments for assessment of Kharif crop productivity
• Visiting input dealers, one Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), two Self Help Groups (SHGs), and two PACS or LAMPS institutions
• Creating awareness among farmers about government agriculture schemes, digital services, and farming-related mobile applications

Mentoring and Professional Exposure

• Regular guidance and weekly performance reviews by Block Agriculture Officers (BAOs) and Assistant Agriculture Officers (AAOs)
• First-hand exposure to the implementation of agricultural programmes and extension services at the grassroots level
• Opportunity to understand how government schemes reach farmers and how field-level agriculture administration functions

Scale of the Programme

• 964 final-year students were deployed under the 2026 edition of the programme
• Internship activities were conducted across all 314 blocks in 30 districts of Odisha

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

The Krushi Unnata Sahayogi (KUS) Internship Programme gives final-year agriculture and horticulture students a chance to gain practical field experience while supporting farmers at the grassroots level. To participate in the programme, students must satisfy the following conditions.

• Must be a final-year undergraduate student pursuing B.Sc. (Agriculture) or B.Sc. (Horticulture)
• Must be studying in a State Agricultural University or an affiliated agriculture or horticulture college in Odisha, including OUAT and its affiliated institutions
• Must be selected or recommended by the concerned university or college for field deployment under the programme
• Must be available for the complete internship period of three months from October to December
• Must be willing to work at the allotted block during official working hours, generally 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM from Monday to Friday
• Must be capable of using a smartphone for digital attendance, pest surveillance reporting, and submission of field survey data

Who Cannot Join

• Students studying in the first, second, or third year of their degree programme
• Postgraduate students pursuing M.Sc. courses and research scholars enrolled in PhD programmes
• Students belonging to non-agriculture and non-horticulture disciplines
• Students who are unable to complete the full three-month internship period or follow the assigned field schedule

Documents Required to be Attached

Applying for the Krushi Unnata Sahayogi (KUS) Internship Programme is generally coordinated through your college. However, every selected student must keep certain documents ready for verification, attendance registration, and stipend processing.

• College Identity Card issued by the agriculture or horticulture college where you are currently studying
• Bonafide Certificate confirming that you are a final-year B.Sc. (Agriculture) or B.Sc. (Horticulture) student
• Aadhaar Card for identity verification
• Bank Passbook first page showing the account holder’s name, account number, and IFSC code for stipend payment
• Recent passport size photograph
• Active mobile number for internship-related communication, app-based attendance, and daily reporting
• Smartphone with internet connectivity, as field surveys, pest surveillance activities, and data submission are carried out through digital platforms

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

The Krushi Unnata Sahayogi (KUS) Internship Programme has been launched for 2026, but students cannot apply through a public online portal. Colleges and universities coordinate directly with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment for selection and deployment. Here is the complete process explained in a simple way.

Before the Internship

Step 1: You must be studying in the final year of B.Sc. (Agriculture) or B.Sc. (Horticulture) at a state agricultural university or an affiliated college in Odisha.

Step 2: Stay connected with your college Dean, faculty coordinator, or internship in-charge. They receive official instructions about the programme and prepare the list of eligible students.

Step 3: If your name is shortlisted, keep all your documents ready, such as your college ID card, bonafide certificate, Aadhaar Card, bank passbook, photograph, and mobile number.

Step 4: Follow the instructions given by your college and report to the office of the Chief District Agriculture Officer (CDAO) or the Block Agriculture Officer (BAO). You will then be informed about the block and Gram Panchayat where you will work during the internship.

During the Internship

Step 1: Report to your assigned area and work alongside Gram Panchayat level agriculture extension staff from Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Step 2: Learn how agriculture services are delivered at the grassroots level and interact regularly with farmers in your assigned villages.

Step 3: Record pest and disease incidents using the e-Pest platform and the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS).

Step 4: Conduct surveys of 100 farmers, collect field information, and document their farming practices, challenges, and success stories.

Step 5: Complete five Crop Cutting Experiments and assist in collecting field data related to crop performance.

Step 6: Visit input dealers, one Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), two Self Help Groups (SHGs), and two PACS or LAMPS institutions as part of your practical learning.

Step 7: Create awareness among farmers about government agriculture schemes, digital platforms, and useful farming applications.

Step 8: Submit your reports and field updates on time. Your work will be reviewed regularly by the Block Agriculture Officer and Assistant Agriculture Officer.

After the Internship

Step 1: Successfully complete all assigned activities and the full three-month internship period.

Step 2: Collect your completion certificate from the Chief District Agriculture Officer of the district where you were deployed.

Step 3: After verification of your work and attendance, the stipend of Rs. 21,000 will be credited directly to your bank account.

Important: The 2026 batch has already been deployed across Odisha. Students who will enter their final year in the coming academic session should stay in touch with their college and regularly check updates from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment regarding future editions of the programme.

Important Links Available of the Scheme

• Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha
• Activity Reports, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment
• Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT)

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• Nodal Department: Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha
• Implementing Office: Directorate of Agriculture and Food Production, Odisha
• District Level: Office of the Chief District Agriculture Officer (CDAO)
• Block Level: Office of the Block Agriculture Officer (BAO)
• College Level: Dean or field programme coordinator of your agriculture or horticulture college

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.