By Iqbal Chaudhary Former Director, Department of Agriculture, Kashmir
National Farmers Day and the Moral Imperative to Stand with Those Who Feed the World
On this earth, no one is truly disconnected from the farmer. We are all linked—either as producers or as consumers—by the quiet, persistent labour that sustains life itself.
Agriculture is the very provenance of human civilization. When humanity transitioned from a hunter-gatherer existence to settled agriculture nearly 12,000 years ago, it unlocked something profound: food security. That security made it possible to raise families, build shelters, form villages, and eventually create towns and cities. In many ways, agriculture did not merely feed civilization—it made civilization possible.
Over time, farming evolved beyond the production of food. It became the source of fodder and feed, and later of raw materials essential for early industries. Textiles, carpentry, oil pressing, building materials, and other agro-based crafts formed the rudiments of industrial activity. Long before factories and machines, agriculture was the backbone of economic life.
For centuries across continents, farming remained the principal source of employment. While Western societies gradually transitioned to non-agricultural livelihoods following industrialisation and technological advancement, much of the world—including India—continues to depend heavily on agriculture. Even today, nearly 46 percent of India’s working population derives its livelihood from farming and allied activities. This reality alone demands that the sector, and the farmers who sustain it, receive far greater attention, policy priority, and social respect.
Yet, as economies have shifted toward industry and commerce, farmers have increasingly found themselves at a disadvantage. Their incomes have lagged behind those in non-agricultural sectors, even as the risks they face have multiplied. Climate change has intensified weather extremes, making agriculture more uncertain and more vulnerable than ever before. Alongside production risks, farmers are now exposed to post-production challenges such as price volatility, market asymmetries, and rising input costs.
To navigate these pressures, farmers must continuously acquire new skills, knowledge, and management practices. The agriculture of the 21st century is no longer solely about land and labour; it is increasingly about information, forecasting, and decision-making. Digital technologies—when made accessible and affordable—can serve as powerful predictive tools. In essence, modern agriculture must become a knowledge-centric practice if it is to remain viable and resilient.
On this year’s Kisan Diwas, observed on December 23, we must renew our collective resolve to support farmers—not merely as a matter of welfare, but in the broader interest of human civilization. The fossil-fuel-driven industrial model has placed unprecedented stress on the planet. As we confront the realities of climate change, the importance of a bioeconomy, supported by a circular economy that moves away from wasteful linear systems, has never been clearer.
In this emerging paradigm, agriculture is once again being called upon to play a transformative role. Beyond food, fodder, and feed, farming now supplies raw material for renewable energy, biodegradable products, and sustainable industrial processes. These new demands offer farmers the possibility of more diversified and remunerative income streams. At the same time, they signal a deeper truth: the very sector that once gave birth to human civilization may now help steer modern civilization back toward sustainability.
Kisan Diwas in India is observed in remembrance of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the country’s fifth Prime Minister, who dedicated his life to the cause of farmers’ welfare. Farmers are honoured across the world—the United States marks Farmers’ Day on October 12, while World Farmers’ Day is observed on May 14. This global recognition reflects a universal understanding: societies thrive only when their farmers do.
On this day, we express our gratitude to farmers who continue to serve humanity under increasingly trying circumstances. Their labour feeds nations, sustains economies, and safeguards the future of our planet.
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