Tue Dec 23 04:10:00 UTC 2025: ## National Farmers’ Day Highlights Contributions and Government Initiatives

New Delhi, December 23, 2024 – Today, India celebrates National Farmers’ Day, also known as Kisan Diwas, honoring the significant contributions of farmers to the nation’s economy. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the fifth Prime Minister of India, who championed farmers’ rights.

This year’s theme for Kisan Diwas 2025 is ‘Developed India 2047 – The Role of FPOs in Globalizing Indian Agriculture,’ highlighting the importance of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in modernizing and expanding the reach of Indian agriculture on the global stage.

On this occasion, attention is drawn to the various government schemes aimed at improving the lives and livelihoods of farmers across the country. Key initiatives include:

  • PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi): Provides ₹6,000 annually to all landholding farmer families in three installments of ₹2,000, directly deposited into their bank accounts.
  • Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme: Offers low-interest loans up to ₹3 lakh for farmers to purchase seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural inputs.
  • PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana): Provides insurance coverage against crop loss due to natural calamities, pests, and diseases, with low premium rates for farmers (2% for Kharif, 1.5% for Rabi, and 5% for horticultural crops).
  • Soil Health Card Scheme: Offers farmers soil analysis reports with information on 12 nutrients and recommendations for appropriate fertilizer use, improving soil fertility and reducing overuse of chemical fertilizers.
  • PMKSY (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana): Promotes efficient water usage by providing subsidies on micro-irrigation systems like drip and sprinkler irrigation.
  • PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan): Supports farmers in installing solar-powered irrigation pumps with subsidies ranging from 30% to 50%. Farmers can also sell surplus electricity to local DISCOMs.
  • PM-KMY (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana): A voluntary pension scheme for small and marginal farmers, providing a monthly pension of ₹3,000 after the age of 60.
  • e-NAM (Electronic National Agriculture Market): A digital platform connecting mandis (agricultural markets) across the country, facilitating online trading and transparent price discovery.
  • AIF (Agriculture Infrastructure Fund): Provides financial assistance for developing agricultural infrastructure such as warehouses, cold storage facilities, and packaging units through low-interest loans.

These government initiatives underscore the commitment to supporting and empowering the farming community, ensuring their prosperity and the sustainable growth of Indian agriculture. The focus on FPOs and modern technologies reflects a forward-thinking approach to making Indian agriculture globally competitive and contributing significantly to the nation’s development goals.

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