New Delhi: National Farmer’s Day, observed annually on 23 December, is a moment to recognise the backbone of India’s food system. From sowing seeds to harvesting hope, farmers ensure food security, rural livelihoods and agricultural sustainability. The day invites citizens to pause and appreciate the labour behind every grain, vegetable and spice on their plates, while also reflecting on challenges such as climate change, fair pricing and access to resources faced by farming communities nationwide today across diverse regions and generations alike.
Beyond remembrance, the day encourages dialogue, sustainable practices and conscious consumption, reminding us that supporting farmers means strengthening economies, preserving traditions and securing the future of food for generations to come through awareness, respect, policy support and collective action.
National Farmers’ Day 2025
National Farmers’ Day 2025 is honouring India’s annadatas with vibrant celebrations across the nation, from rural fairs to urban workshops promoting sustainable farming. Kisan Diwas commemorates highlights the Green Revolution’s impact and modern challenges like climate resilience. Events feature seed sowing drives, millet cooking demos, and awards for innovative farmers, urging mindful consumption of regional staples. This year, themes emphasise natural farming and digital agritech, blending tradition with wellness for a food-secure future.
National Farmers’ Day 2025: History and significance
National Farmer’s Day, also known as Kisan Diwas, is observed in India on December 23, to honour the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister of India, Chaudhary Charan Singh, a leader widely respected for his pro-farmer vision and agrarian reforms. The day was officially designated to recognise the crucial role farmers play in ensuring food security, sustaining rural economies and preserving traditional agricultural practices.
Its significance lies in raising awareness about farmers’ challenges, promoting sustainable farming, and encouraging policy dialogue, public appreciation and collective responsibility towards strengthening the agricultural sector and safeguarding the future of food systems.
Top Indian staples grown by farmers
1. Punjab — Wheat
Punjab remains a major producer of wheat, anchoring north India’s breadbasket economy. Farmers here combine high yields with mechanised practices, sustaining national food stocks and rural livelihoods while coping with water stewardship and market demands.
2. West Bengal — Rice
In West Bengal, rice is the primary staple crop, feeding millions and bolstering food security. Farmers cultivate diverse aromatic varieties suited to the humid delta soils that shape local diets and traditional dishes across households.
3. Kerala — Spices (Black Pepper and Cardamom)
Kerala’s farmers are key producers of spices like black pepper and cardamom, which enrich Indian cuisine and global trade. These smallholder growers preserve shade-grown and biodiversity-friendly systems that fetch premium prices in domestic and export markets.
4. Rajasthan — Bajra (pearl millet)
Rajasthan’s arid lands support bajra cultivation, a heat-tolerant staple vital for local nutrition and food security. Farmers here adapt traditional knowledge and resilient cropping to sustain production in low-rainfall environments.
5. Maharashtra — Jowar (sorghum)
In Maharashtra, jowar is a significant coarse cereal, supporting rain-fed agriculture and rural communities. Sorghum’s hardiness makes it ideal for drier zones, while farmers supply it for nutritious bhakri and porridge staples.
6. Karnataka — Ragi (finger millet)
Karnataka farmers grow ragi, a calcium-rich millet integral to traditional diets. Its cultivation strengthens food diversity, supports smallholder incomes, and meets rising health-food interest, especially in drought-prone regions.
On this National Farmers’ Day 2025, let’s cherish the annadatas by savouring their farmer-grown Indian staples—from Punjab’s wheat to Kerala’s spices—in our daily lifestyles, fostering sustainable wellness and cultural pride.