Kisan Diwas 2024: A Tribute to Farmers and Key Government Schemes

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Dec 23, 2024

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Kisan Diwas 2024, also known as National Farmers' Day, is celebrated every year on December 23 to honor the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the former Prime Minister of India. This day is dedicated to acknowledging the vital role of farmers in the country’s economy. It celebrates their contributions to agricultural growth, socio-economic development, and food security.

In 2024, as the nation celebrates Kisan Diwas 2024 with gratitude and respect for its farmers, it’s also important to spotlight the government’s initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare of farmers. These schemes focus on financial assistance, crop insurance, pension plans, and infrastructure development. In this article, we’ll explore the key government schemes that are empowering farmers across India.

What is Kisan Diwas?

Kisan Diwas holds immense significance in India, as it is dedicated to the farmers who form the backbone of the nation’s agricultural sector. Chaudhary Charan Singh, who served as the Prime Minister, was a firm advocate for farmer welfare. His efforts to improve the condition of Indian farmers continue to inspire the nation. Kisan Diwas 2024 serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting the agricultural community and ensuring their well-being.

PM Kisan Samman Yojana: Financial Aid for Farmers

One of the most prominent schemes launched by the government for farmer welfare is the PM Kisan Samman Yojana. Introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, this scheme offers direct financial support to land-holding farmers. Under the scheme, eligible farmers receive Rs 6,000 annually in three equal installments via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). As of October 2024, over Rs 3.45 lakh crore has been disbursed, benefiting over 11 crore farmers across the country.

The scheme aims to ease the financial burden on farmers, helping them meet the cost of inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. By directly transferring funds to their bank accounts, it ensures transparency and eliminates middlemen.

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana: Crop Insurance for Farmers

Farmers are often vulnerable to unpredictable weather conditions, making crop insurance a crucial aspect of their financial security. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, launched in 2016, offers comprehensive risk coverage for farmers against natural calamities, pests, and diseases.

Under this scheme, the government caps the farmer’s premium contribution: 2% for Kharif crops, 1.5% for Rabi crops, and 5% for commercial or horticultural crops. In 2024, the Union Ministry of Agriculture confirmed that Rs 1.63 lakh crore has been paid out to farmers under this scheme, which is 98% of the total claims.

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana aims to provide a monthly pension to small and marginal farmers. Launched on September 12, 2019, this initiative ensures that farmers aged between 60 and 70 years receive a monthly pension of Rs 3,000. To qualify, farmers between the ages of 18 and 40 must contribute a small amount, ranging from Rs 55 to Rs 200 per month.

This scheme provides a safety net for farmers, ensuring that they are financially secure in their old age. It is a significant step toward addressing the long-standing issue of social security for the agricultural community.

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund: Building a Stronger Agri-Economy

Another key initiative under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package is the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund. This fund was launched to bridge the infrastructure gap in agriculture and to boost post-harvest management. The scheme aims to invest in projects that will improve storage, cold chains, and rural infrastructure, thus ensuring higher productivity and lower wastage.

With an allocation of Rs 1 lakh crore, the fund is expected to boost agricultural infrastructure from FY 2020-21 to FY 2025-26. The government's goal is to strengthen the agri-economy, create rural employment, and increase farmers' incomes by making agriculture more efficient and sustainable.

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana: Irrigation for All

Water is a critical resource for farming, and ensuring its availability is crucial for boosting agricultural productivity. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) is a scheme that focuses on improving irrigation facilities for farmers. The initiative aims to increase the area of irrigated land, ensuring that water is available for crops even during dry spells.

The scheme provides financial assistance to farmers for setting up irrigation systems, improving water-use efficiency, and constructing reservoirs. Through this, the government hopes to reduce dependence on rainfall, providing a consistent source of water for agriculture.

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture: Ensuring Eco-Friendly Practices

Sustainability is key to the future of agriculture, and the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) aims to promote eco-friendly farming practices. This scheme focuses on improving soil health, promoting organic farming, and ensuring the judicious use of natural resources.

Farmers are encouraged to adopt sustainable agricultural practices that protect the environment while improving productivity. Through the NMSA, the government also provides training and financial assistance to farmers for implementing green farming techniques.

Soil Health Management: Strengthening Soil Fertility

Soil health plays a crucial role in determining agricultural productivity. To improve soil fertility, the government has launched the Soil Health Management scheme. This program offers free soil testing and advisory services to farmers, helping them understand the nutrient content of their soil and the specific requirements for optimal crop production.

By promoting the use of organic fertilizers and reducing the dependence on chemical inputs, the scheme aims to increase soil health, improve yields, and reduce the environmental impact of farming.

Kisan Credit Card Scheme: Easy Access to Credit

The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme is another important government initiative designed to provide affordable and timely credit to farmers. The scheme offers short-term loans to farmers at lower interest rates, which can be used for buying inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, as well as for meeting other farm-related expenses.

Since its launch, the KCC scheme has helped millions of farmers gain access to quick and hassle-free credit, empowering them to meet the financial demands of farming without falling into debt traps.

Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Schemes: Expanding Farmer Welfare

Apart from crop-focused schemes, the government has also launched initiatives to support farmers in allied sectors such as fisheries and animal husbandry. These schemes offer financial assistance and subsidies for the development of fishery infrastructure, the promotion of dairy farming, and the expansion of poultry and livestock farming.

With a growing focus on diversification, these programs help farmers generate additional income through non-crop farming activities.

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Conclusion

The Kisan Diwas 2024 celebrations remind us of the indispensable role farmers play in India's progress. To empower them, the government has introduced several schemes that provide financial support, insurance, social security, and infrastructure development. These initiatives not only improve the livelihoods of farmers but also help in building a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.

As India continues to celebrate its farmers on Kisan Diwas, it’s crucial that we recognize the importance of these schemes in shaping the future of agriculture in the country. With ongoing government support, farmers can look forward to a more prosperous and secure future.

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