Page 50 - NIS English 16-31 December, 2025

NATION | Agriculture

National Farmers’ Day - December 23

Prospering Farmers...

Strengthening of Rural Economy

Farmers, revered as the lifeline of the nation and “Annadatas”, are the
foundation of India’s prosperity. National Farmers’ Day, observed every year
on December 23rd, celebrates the contributions of these farmers. On this
occasion, let us understand how the Central Government has been
strengthening the rural economy over the past 11 years through new schemes,
initiatives, and financial support to make farmers self-reliant, increase their
income, and foster prosperity in New India...

Budget for r21,933 r1,37,756

Hallmark Agriculture and Crore Crore
of Success Farmers’ Welfare 2013-14 2025-26
(Data as of
July 2025)
n Crop damage by wild animals and waterlogging in paddy crops are both
included in the PMFBY. Crop damage by wild animals is recognized as the
24.88 fifth 'add-on cover' in the localised risk category. Farmers must report crop
damage within 72 hours with geotagged photos on the crop insurance app.
Lakh farmers enrolled in the Will be implemented nationwide from the Kharif season 2026.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Over crore allocated under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee
Maandhan Yojana. Yojana for the year 2021-26, 112 irrigation projects
r93,000
78.41 crore applications have been implemented. Dependence on the monsoon reduced.
insured under the PM Fasal Bima crore farmers received r10 lakh 25.17 crore soil health cards
Yojana since 2016, with claims 7.71 crore in the KCC Scheme;with issued. 8,272 soil testing
paid worth r1.83 lakh crore. loan limit was raised to r5 lakh. laboratories established.

boost to the country’s rural economy. tain the health of our soil. It can also protect people
Expanding natural farming is a key requirement of from harmful chemicals. State governments and FPOs
21st-century agriculture. In recent years, the growing play a vital role in this natural farming campaign. In the
demand for food has led to a rapid increase in the use past few years, 10,000 FPOs have been formed. With
of chemicals in agricultural fields and on farms. Exces- the support of FPOs, we should create small clusters or
sive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is leading groups of farmers. Provide facilities for cleaning, pro-
to a decline in soil fertility and impacting moisture. cessing, and packaging, and connect directly to online
Along with this, the cost of agriculture is also steadily markets. This will further increase the profit potential
increasing. The solution to this problem lies in crop di- for farmers involved in natural farming.
versification and natural farming. Based on these facts,
PM Modi has stated that we must move towards natural MULTICULTURAL FARMING IS CORE
farming. This is both our vision and our need. Natural PHILOSOPHY OF NATURAL FARMING
farming helps us cope with climate change. It can main- Farmers in South India are advancing by combining

48 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || December 16-31, 2025