Kisan Diwas – National Farmers’ Day is observed every year on December 23 – the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh – former Prime Minister of India and hailed as a champion of farmers. This day which is a day of celebration of the farming community, is also observed by BAIF and its Associate Organisations across 12 states to recognise the valuable contribution of small and marginal farmers in the sustainable development programme.
On December 23, 2021, 30 champion women farmers of the Prerna Project from 6 villages of Hunsur, Mysuru, Karnataka, were taken on an exposure visit to the Agriculture Extension Education unit of the Organic Farming Research Station at Naganahalli in Mysuru district to create awareness on sustainable agricultural practices for improved crop productivity. The women were oriented on climatic uncertainties, water management for better productivity, Systematic Rice Intensification and Integrated farming system for doubling their farm income and also learnt of the successful experience of a progressive farmer in adoption of improved farming practices.
With this field visit and enhanced knowledge, these champion women farmers can surely become custodians of sustainable agricultural practices and sensitise a large number of women farmers on efficient farming practices.
The Prerna Project is being jointly implemented by Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) and BAIF in Mysuru and Tumkur, Karnataka, Nashik and Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Vidisha and Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, Jamnagar and Tapi, Gujarat and Amethi in Uttar Pradesh to empower women farmers as change makers in agriculture.
