Kisan Diwas or National Farmers Day, observed annually on December 23, marks the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, India's fifth Prime Minister and a staunch advocate for the farming community. This day serves as a tribute to farmers, who form the backbone of India's economy, and highlights the significant contributions of Chaudhary Charan Singh toward agricultural reform and farmer welfare. Recognizing the pivotal role of farmers, the Indian government has launched numerous schemes to support and empower them, ensuring sustainable growth and national prosperity.
Remembering Chaudhary Charan Singh
Known as the "Champion of Farmers," Chaudhary Charan Singh was instrumental in introducing significant reforms to uplift the agricultural sector. His efforts, including the Debt Redemption Bill of 1939, freed farmers from exploitative moneylenders. Singh also played a key role in land reforms in Uttar Pradesh, transforming the state's agricultural landscape. His vision of self-reliance in agriculture laid the foundation for various policies aimed at improving the lives of farmers. To honor his legacy, Government of India designated December 23 as Kisan Diwas in 2001, ensuring that his contributions remain a guiding light for future generations.
Theme of Kisan Diwas 2024:
The theme for this year's Kisan Diwas, "Empowering 'Annadatas' for a Prosperous Nation," underscores the importance of equipping farmers with the resources, opportunities, and modern tools they need for sustainable agricultural growth. It highlights the government's focus on addressing issues such as fair pricing, climate resilience, and access to advanced technologies. By empowering farmers, the government aims to strengthen their role as key contributors to the economy and ensure a prosperous future for the nation.
Key Government Schemes Supporting Farmers
To address the challenges faced by farmers and ensure their socio-economic upliftment, the Government of India has implemented several transformative initiatives. These schemes provide financial assistance, risk mitigation, and infrastructure development, empowering farmers to adopt sustainable practices and achieve economic security.
1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
Launched in February 2019, PM-KISAN aims to supplement the financial needs of landholding farmers. Under this scheme, farmers receive an annual financial aid of Rs 6,000 in three equal installments, directly transferred to their bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). As of now, over 11 crore farmers have benefited from the scheme, with a total disbursement exceeding Rs 3.46 lakh crore.
2. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Introduced in 2016, PMFBY provides affordable crop insurance to farmers, covering risks from pre-sowing to post-harvest stages due to natural calamities. The scheme has insured over 68.85 crore farmer applications and disbursed Rs 1.65 lakh crore in claims, ensuring prompt and adequate compensation to farmers.
3. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY)
Launched in September 2019, PM-KMY offers a monthly pension to small and marginal farmers upon reaching the age of 60. Farmers aged 18 to 40 contribute a small amount monthly, matched by the government. The scheme has enrolled over 24.66 lakh farmers, providing financial security in their old age.
4. Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS)
The MISS scheme offers concessional short-term agricultural loans up to rs 3 lakh at a 7% interest rate. Farmers who repay on time enjoy an additional 3% interest subvention, effectively reducing the rate to 4%. Since its inception, institutional credit flow to agriculture has tripled, reaching Rs 25.48 lakh crore by 2023-24.
5. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
Launched in 2020, the AIF aims to finance agriculture infrastructure projects, such as cold storage and processing units. The scheme offers loans up to Rs 2 crore with interest subvention and credit guarantee fee reimbursement. As of November 2024, Rs 51,448 crore has been sanctioned for 84,333 projects across India.
6. Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
Introduced in 1998, the Kisan Credit Card scheme provides easy access to credit for agricultural needs. In 2019, the Reserve Bank of India extended this facility to animal husbandry and fisheries sectors. As of March 2024, 7.75 crore KCC accounts are active, supporting farmers with timely financial assistance.
Other Initiatives for Modern Farming
The government has also introduced several innovative programmes to modernize agriculture:
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Namo Drone Didi Scheme: Providing financial assistance to women self-help groups (SHGs) for using drones in farming.
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Soil Health Card Scheme: Issuing 24.6 crore soil health cards to optimize fertilizer usage and enhance productivity.
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Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): Establishing 10,000 FPOs with a budget of Rs 6,865 crore to promote collective farming.
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Clean Plant Programme: Ensuring disease-free planting materials for horticulture.
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Digital Agriculture Mission: Supporting digital transformation in farming with an outlay of Rs 2,817 crore.
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Kisan Kavach Bodysuit: Protecting farmers from pesticide exposure.
Kisan Diwas is a reminder of the invaluable contributions of farmers to India’s economy and food security. With comprehensive government initiatives such as PM-KISAN, PMFBY, and AIF, India is taking significant strides toward empowering its farmers, ensuring financial security, and fostering a resilient agricultural sector. By embracing innovation and providing robust support systems, the nation continues to honor its Annadatas and secure a prosperous future.
