Kisan Diwas 2025: Are Governments Doing Enough for the Farmer?

Despite repeated claims of prioritising farmer welfare, a growing section of the farming community continues to question whether these assurances translate into real change. The central concern remains whether the annadata the food provider will ever receive fair returns for the hardship he endures, or whether agriculture will remain a profession burdened by uncertainty and neglect.

India observes National Farmers’ Day (Kisan Diwas) every year on December 23 in memory of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh , a leader closely associated with agrarian reforms. However, even after more than two decades of observance, farmers argue that the true spirit of the day ensuring dignity, income security, and sustainability in agriculture remains largely unfulfilled.

Are Farmers Being Fairly Rewarded for Their Labour?

Nearly half of India’s population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture, yet the sector contributes only 15 to 18 percent to the national GDP. This stark imbalance highlights how farmers’ labour is undervalued. Rising costs of seeds, fertilisers, diesel, and labour have significantly increased cultivation expenses, while crop prices remain volatile and unpredictable.

Despite the existence of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system, its limited coverage and inadequate procurement mean that many farmers are forced to sell their produce below cost. Middlemen continue to dominate agricultural markets, eroding farmers’ incomes. As a result, agriculture has become a high-risk livelihood rather than a stable source of income.

The distress is reflected in alarming statistics. According to national data, 10,786 farmers died by suicide in 2023 , underscoring the deep crisis in the sector. Telangana alone reported 56 farmer suicides , a grim reminder that welfare measures are failing to reach those most in need.

Is Youth Participation in Agriculture Only a Distant Dream?

One of the most worrying trends is the steady withdrawal of rural youth from farming. Agriculture is increasingly viewed as a loss-making occupation with no assured income. Climate uncertainty, mounting debts, and lack of institutional support have pushed young people toward cities in search of alternative livelihoods.

Today, the average age of Indian farmers exceeds 50 years , raising serious concerns about the future of food security. Experts warn that unless farming becomes economically viable and socially respected, the sector may face an irreversible generational crisis.

Schemes Are Announced But Where Is the Implementation?

Successive governments have launched numerous schemes aimed at farmer welfare. The PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi provides ₹6,000 annually to eligible farmers, benefiting around 11 crore farmers nationwide. However, farmers argue that the amount is grossly insufficient given rising input costs.

Similarly, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana , designed to offer financial protection against crop loss, has been marred by irregularities. Reports of large-scale fraud in states such as Rajasthan and Maharashtra have raised serious concerns about transparency and accountability. Despite thousands of crores being allocated, many farmers complain of delayed or denied compensation.

These gaps between policy announcements and ground-level delivery have led to growing scepticism among farmers, who see welfare schemes as political tools rather than reliable support systems.

Are Agricultural Awareness Efforts Limited to Paper?

Several government initiatives aim to educate farmers on modern agricultural practices. The Soil Health Card Scheme , launched in 2015, has issued over 22 crore cards to guide farmers on fertiliser use based on soil quality. Yet, many farmers remain unaware of how to use these cards effectively.

Officials responsible for outreach and training are often criticised for poor field-level engagement. Awareness programmes frequently fail to move beyond documentation, limiting their impact on productivity and sustainability.

Similarly, the e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) platform, introduced to ensure better prices through online trading, has struggled due to lack of digital literacy, continued dominance of intermediaries, delayed payments, and inadequate market integration.

Telangana: Promise and Uncertainty in Farmer Welfare

Telangana once stood out nationally for its farmer-focused initiatives. Under the Rythu Bandhu scheme , the previous BRS government provided ₹10,000 per acre annually as investment support, benefiting over 56 lakh farmers and disbursing more than ₹75,000 crore .

However, the current Congress government, which came to power in 2023 promising ₹12,000 per acre, has so far provided assistance only once in two years, creating uncertainty among farmers. While the Rythu Bima scheme , offering ₹5 lakh to families of deceased farmers, remains a notable initiative, Telangana’s non-participation in the central crop insurance scheme has left farmers vulnerable to losses.

The Unfulfilled Objective of Kisan Diwas

The continued prevalence of farmer suicides, debt distress, and climate-related risks highlights that the core objectives of Kisan Diwas remain unmet. Observing the day as a symbolic event, experts argue, does little to improve farmers’ lives unless its principles are reflected in everyday governance.

True farmer welfare, they stress, must be measured not by the number of schemes announced but by visible improvements in income security, market access, and quality of life. As long as the annadata remains insecure, India’s development, they warn, will remain incomplete.