National Farmers Day

Author : Sidhartha Sarangi

Hello,

Today I am going to write a blog on "National Farmers Day"

Farmer’s Day or National Farmer’s Day or Kisan Diwas is celebrated every year on the 23rd of December nationwide with great enthusiasm to praise the farmers as they are the spine of India. The day also embarks the birth anniversary of the Indian Farmer’s leader and the former Prime Minister of India, Chaudhary Charan Singh.

Chaudhary Charan Singh, the Kisan Leader, was the fifth Prime Minister of India who served the country for a very short period from July 28, 1979, to January 14, 1980. Although he was a very simple-minded man, he introduced many policies to improve the Indian Farmer’s life. He followed the famous slogan – “JAI JAWAN JAI KISAN” which was given to the farmers by Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India. He himself belonged to the farmer family and led an extremely simple life. He wrote several books on farmers and their problems depicting various solutions to improve the lives of the farmers of the nation as India is primarily the land of villages in which the majority of the population are farmers having agriculture as their main source of income. He introduced several policies and initiatives in favor of farmers in the Budget presented by him in 1979 to boost the confidence of all farmers and to safeguard the well being of the farmers against the landlords and the moneylenders. He also introduced and enacted the Zamindari Abolition Act in favor of farmers.

On farmer’s day several debates, forums, discussions, quizzes, and competitions are organized in all states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh that are actively engaged in farming practices. The representatives, participants, and the Agricultural department of the State Government are invited to discuss the various issues related to farmers and cultivation and also to give suggestions and solutions, information related to various government policies, use of new techniques and use of scientific methods to increase crop yield was given to farmers on this day.

Farmers are the backbone of society and majorly contribute to the economic development of India. Thus, this day is dedicated to all the farmers of India to increase their enthusiasm and also to generate eminent respect for the citizens of the country. They grow food even after facing the utmost difficulties and burnt their skin to feed us keeping them wretched and backward. So, they should be helped and appreciated at the same time.

The profession of farming started around 12,000 years ago with the domestication of livestock. So, it is one of the oldest jobs around. A farmer works very hard day and night to provide the livestock in the required amount. Hence, we should pay respect to their hard work and should encourage others also equally. During the 60s, the Green Revolution evolved in Punjab and Haryana, transformed the agricultural picture of the Nation to a great extent increasing the productivity of the country and making India self–sufficient in several agro commodities. But agriculture in India is still in a dreadful state despite several policies, technologies, and improvements. Every year, the farmers of India have to fight natural crises such as drought, floods, etc. The alarmingly increasing suicide rate among farmers caused a severe concern upon agricultural development and its sustenance in the country.

Although, Indian farmers are getting a lot of relief and support from the government for the last 10-15 years such as a rebate on loan, fair price for their yields, new technology for cultivation, and so on. We need to put more effort to improve their conditions and also their farming practices. A lot more positive and effective ways are yet to be developed by the government and citizens for farmers all over India for healthier and richer growth of the country as well as farming cultivation as when the farming practices are improved, only then our country would be developed in the true sense. The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at wholesale and pays the freight both ways. So, it is our wholesome duty to promote, encourage, help, and respect our farmers and their hard work as they don’t just work till the sun goes down but till the job gets done.