National Farmers' Day: Know The Date, History And Significance Of Kisan Diwas

Farmers are the backbone of India's economy and a significant contributor to rural prosperity. Every year, Farmers' Day is observed to raise awareness and to honour and appreciate all the responsible farmers for their contributions to society. In India, Farmers' Day, or Kisan Diwas, is celebrated on the 23rd of December every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mr. Choudhary Charan Singh, India's fifth Prime Minister.

Kisan Diwas, also known as National Farmers' Day, is mostly honoured across India's agricultural and farming states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh, among others.

National Farmers' Day 2021: Date

On December 23, the country commemorates National Farmers' Day or Kisan Diwas, which is the birth anniversary of India's fifth prime minister, Choudhary Charan Singh.

National Farmers' Day: History

Choudhary Charan Singh was born on December 23, 1902, in Noorpur village, Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh, to a middle-class peasant family. From 1979 to 1980, he was Prime Minister of India, during which period he helped in the implementation of numerous farmer-friendly land reform programmes.

Chaudhary Charan Singh worked tirelessly for the development of farmers throughout his brief tenure as Prime Minister of the country. He established a number of welfare programmes for them. Since his days as a freedom fighter, Singh has always had a soft spot for the oppressed.

Chaudhary Charan Singh introduced the Debt Redemption Bill in 1939 to protect farmers from moneylenders and their crimes. He was also the Minister for Agriculture and Forests in Sucheta Kripalani's Ministry from 1962 to 1963.

Charan Singh's birth anniversary was recognised as Kisan Diwas by the then-government in 2001.

Singh spent most of his free time reading and writing, since he believed in living a simple life. Singh published numerous books and booklets during his lifetime. His well-known works are Co-operative Farming X-rayed, India's Poverty and its Solution, and Abolition of Zamindari.

National Farmers' Day: Significance

India is a country of villages and agricultural surpluses. Farmers or people who work in agriculture form the majority of the country's rural population. A significant number of the country's soldiers come from agrarian families.

Every year, Kisan Diwas is observed to recognise the devotion and sacrifice of farmers. It also means that we must pay attention to them and ensure their social and economic well-being. The day also focuses on providing farmers with the most up-to-date agricultural knowledge.