India is observing National Farmers Day, also known as Kisan Diwas, on December 23, 2025. This annual event commemorates the birth anniversary of the late Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, honouring his legacy and relentless work for the welfare of the farming community. The day serves as a nationwide reminder of the critical role farmers play in feeding the country and sustaining the rural economy.
Honouring the Legacy, Supporting the Present
To translate this respect into tangible support, the Government of India has mobilised a range of welfare schemes aimed at boosting farmers' income, providing financial security, and strengthening agricultural infrastructure. These initiatives are designed to empower the annadatas (food providers) with direct financial assistance, affordable credit, crop insurance, and social security nets.
Five Pivotal Government Schemes Every Farmer Should Know
On this Kisan Diwas 2025, here is a closer look at five major government schemes that are making a significant impact on the lives of millions of farmers across India.
PM KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi)
Initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, PM KISAN is a flagship income support scheme. Under this programme, all eligible land-holding farmer families receive ₹6,000 each year, paid in three equal instalments of ₹2,000. The amount is transferred directly to the beneficiaries' bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This financial aid helps farmers manage expenses related to purchasing seeds, fertilisers, and other household needs.
PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana)
Launched in 2016, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana provides affordable crop insurance to safeguard farmers against natural calamities. The scheme offers comprehensive coverage from the pre-sowing to the post-harvest stage for risks like droughts, floods, hailstorms, pests, and diseases. PMFBY supports an estimated 50 crore farmers and covers more than 50 different crops, providing a crucial safety net for agricultural production.
Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme
The Kisan Credit Card scheme ensures farmers have access to timely and affordable credit through a single window. To make loans more accessible, the central government provides an interest subvention of 2% and a Prompt Repayment Incentive of 3%. This effectively makes credit available to farmers at a subsidised interest rate of just 4% per annum. The credit can be utilised for crop production, post-harvest expenses, and other related costs.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan MaanDhan Yojana (PMKMY)
This pension scheme, launched in 2019, addresses the social security needs of small and marginal farmers in their old age. It is designed for those who may have little savings and no regular income after they can no longer work. Upon subscribing, farmers are assured a monthly pension of ₹3,000, offering them financial dignity and security during their retirement years.
Soil Health Card Scheme
This innovative scheme empowers farmers with scientific data about their land. The government provides detailed Soil Health Cards that report the nutrient status of the soil. Updated every three years, these cards offer customised advice on the type and quantity of fertilisers to use. Implemented across all states and Union Territories, the scheme helps farmers optimise input costs and improve productivity by avoiding the unnecessary or imbalanced use of chemicals.
A Tribute to Resilience and Growth
National Farmers Day 2025 is more than a ceremonial observance; it is a reflection of the ongoing commitment to fortify India's agricultural backbone. The combination of direct income support (PM KISAN), risk mitigation (PMFBY), accessible credit (KCC), old-age security (PMKMY), and scientific farming (Soil Health Card) creates a holistic ecosystem of support. These schemes, championed in the spirit of Chaudhary Charan Singh's vision, are pivotal in building a more resilient, prosperous, and sustainable future for India's farmers and the nation's food security.
