ICAR Institutes across India Celebrate Kisan Diwas 2025, Reaffirming Commitment to Farmer Empowerment

23 December 2025

Kisan Diwas, observed annually on 23 December, commemorates the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Shri Chaudhary Charan Singh, a visionary leader and unwavering champion of farmers’ welfare. The occasion honours the pivotal contribution of farmers to national food security, rural livelihoods, and the country’s socio-economic development.

Kisan Diwas 2025 reaffirms India’s commitment to empowering farmers through science-led agriculture, innovation, climate resilience, and inclusive growth, emphasizing the critical role of research, extension, digital technologies, and sustainable practices in enhancing farm productivity and resilience.

The observance highlights the need to strengthen farmer-centric institutions, promote natural resource conservation, encourage youth participation in agriculture, and advance the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat through a prosperous and sustainable agricultural sector.

On this occasion, ICAR institutes across the country celebrated Kisan Diwas, bringing together stakeholders from across the agricultural ecosystem to honour farmers, share knowledge, showcase innovations, and renew collective resolve towards building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready Indian agriculture.

ICAR–Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad

Dr. C. Tara Satyavathi, Director, ICAR–IIMR, highlighted the crucial role of farmers in nation-building and food security, emphasizing millets as climate-resilient and sustainable crops for dryland and rainfed regions. She underscored their nutritional superiority, low input needs, resilience to climatic stresses, and importance for household nutrition and food system sustainability, and encouraged adoption of improved production technologies, scientific post-harvest management, and value addition to enhance productivity and profitability.

Scientists from ICAR–IIMR interacted with farmers, showcasing the institute’s efforts across the millet value chain, including improved varieties, capacity building, field demonstrations, and support for processing and value addition. An exposure visit to NutriHub and the Shree Anna Processing & Training Unit familiarized farmers with modern processing, packaging, and enterprise models.

About 250 stakeholders, including farmers from Sangareddy district, participated in interactive sessions and received technical guidance on market-oriented millet production and value addition.

ICAR–Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone VI, Guwahati

Addressing the gathering, Dr. G. Kadirvel, Director, ICAR–ATARI, Zone VI, Guwahati, highlighted the significance of National Farmer’s Day in recognizing farmers’ contribution to food security and rural development, and emphasized the promotion of sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture. He stressed the importance of timely access to technology, skill development, and institutional support, with a focus on empowering small and marginal farmers through capacity building, frontline demonstrations, and convergence of schemes.

Dr. Kadirvel also outlined the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, highlighting its role in strengthening rural livelihoods. The programme featured insights from senior officials and witnessed active participation of scientists, consultants, and staff of ICAR–ATARI, Guwahati.

ICAR-Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur

The programme began with remarks emphasizing the importance of livelihood-oriented interventions for tribal communities and the role of such initiatives in socio-economic upliftment. Participants were briefed on the “Viksit Bharat – Guarantee Rozgar and Ajeevan Mission”, focusing on employment generation and livelihood security.

Technical sessions covered scientific cashew cultivation, benefits available under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) scheme, and value addition from cashew apple, along with information on entrepreneurship support through the Agri Business Incubation (ABI) Centre. To support livelihoods, agricultural inputs including chainsaws, sprayers, palm climbers, and spray hoses were distributed to beneficiary households.

The programme effectively combined capacity building, awareness creation, and input support, reinforcing the Directorate’s commitment to inclusive agricultural development and livelihood enhancement of PVTG communities.

A total of 40 participants, including farmers and ST promoters, attended the programme.

(Source: Respective ICAR Institutes)