National Farmers’ Day, or Kisan Diwas, is celebrated annually on December 23rd in India.
The day honors the invaluable contributions of farmers, who are the backbone of the nation’s economy. This date also commemorates the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, India’s fifth Prime Minister, renowned for his dedication to agrarian reform and farmer welfare.
Chaudhary Charan Singh: Champion of Farmers’ Rights
Born on December 23, 1902, in a humble farmer’s family, Chaudhary Charan Singh rose to prominence through his unwavering commitment to the agricultural community. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by policies aimed at improving the lives of farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Singh’s legacy includes the formulation of farmer-friendly policies and the introduction of schemes that provided greater access to resources and fair pricing for agricultural produce.
Significance of Kisan Diwas
Kisan Diwas serves as a reminder of the essential role farmers play in ensuring food security and sustaining the nation’s economy. The day is dedicated to acknowledging their hard work and addressing the challenges they face, such as access to modern technology, fair market prices, and sustainable farming practices. It also emphasizes the need for continuous support and development in the agricultural sector to enhance productivity and improve the livelihoods of farmers.
Agriculture and its Significance in Indian Economy
According to the theory of economic development, as an economy progresses the contribution of agriculture to GDP and employment declines and that of the industrial and tertiary (service) sectors increases. In 1950/51, 69 percent of India’s total workforce was engaged in agriculture, contributing 53 percent to the national income. Over the years, while the share of agriculture has declined in terms of both national income and employment, the reduction in employment share has not kept pace with the decline in its share of total income.
At the all-India level in triennium ending (TE) 2022, for instance, the share of agriculture in total employment was 44.8 percent while its share of GDP stood at 19.2 percent. As of FY 2022/23, India’s INR 297 trillion (about US $ 3.7 trillion) economy included 18.2 percent contributed by the agricultural and allied sectors, 25.2 percent by industry, and 56.6 percent by the service sector. Over the long term, the share of industrial GDP in total GDP has hovered around 25-30 percent, despite a favorable policy and incentive structure. The current 18.2 percent contribution by agriculture to total GVA reflects its sizeable decline in response to growth in the share contributed by the services sector.
It goes without saying that the agricultural sector contributes significantly to India’s socioeconomic growth and development. Being a principal source of income and livelihood for half the country’s population, agriculture can help India achieve a developed nation status. Significant transformations are taking place within the food system; these range from shifts of traditional farming methods to modern capital-intensive systems enabled by digital farm services, to the use of artificial intelligence and drone technology.
Efforts have also been made to link farmers directly with markets in order to help them better assess changing consumer food preferences. While moving to a higher growth trajectory, agriculture faces numerous domestic and international challenges; these include increasingly erratic rainfall, heat waves, the need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, degradation of water and soil, high volatility in yield and commodity prices, a surge in imports, global slowdowns, and increased international conflicts such as that between Russia and Ukraine and in Palestine.
Celebrations and Events
Across the country, various events are organized to celebrate Kisan Diwas. These include workshops, seminars, and exhibitions focused on agricultural innovations, sustainable farming techniques, and government schemes beneficial to farmers. Educational institutions and agricultural organizations often host programs to raise awareness about the importance of the farming community and to encourage youth participation in agriculture.
Recent Developments
In 2024, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) announced plans to commemorate Chaudhary Charan Singh’s birth anniversary with a social harmony campaign, highlighting the ongoing relevance of his vision for an inclusive and prosperous agricultural sector.
Conclusion
National Farmers’ Day is not just a day of remembrance but a call to action to support and uplift the farming community. By honoring Chaudhary Charan Singh’s legacy and recognizing the pivotal role of farmers, India reaffirms its commitment to agricultural development and food security. As we celebrate Kisan Diwas, let us acknowledge the dedication of our farmers and work collectively towards a sustainable and prosperous future for the agricultural sector.
