Bhubaneswar, May 9 (IANS): Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday launched a 'Direct Benefit Transfer' scheme for the state's farmers.

The farmers can now get themselves registered online to purchase seeds and get the subsidy amount in their bank account directly under the scheme. 

Patnaik also ploughed a field at Laxminarayanpur village in Puri district on Akshaya Tritiya, which marks the beginning of the farming season. 

Addressing the gathering, the chief minister highlighted various initiatives taken by his government for the benefit of farmers. 

He said a task force for agricultural schemes will be set up in the state. 

Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh also ploughed a field at Kandarpur in Cuttack district to observe Akshaya Tritiya in the presence of Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and state BJP president Basant Panda. 

Odisha Congress president Prasad Harichandan also celebrated the festival by sowing paddy and ploughing land.