ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati, organised a Kisan Diwas programme on 23^rd December 2025 as part of the nationwide celebrations commemorating the birth anniversary of Late Shri Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji, former Prime Minister of India and a pioneer of pro-farmer policies. The programme was conducted under the Swachhata Pakhwada (16-31 December 2025) and aligned with the national initiative to create awareness among farmers about the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 (Viksit Bharat-G RAM G Bill, 2025). The event was organised in accordance with the directions of the Hon’ble Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, as part of a coordinated effort across 113 ICAR Institutes and 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to disseminate information on the proposed statutory reforms in rural employment.

The programme commenced with registration of farmers, followed by a welcome address by Dr Vijaysinh Kakade. An overview of DAPSC was presented by Dr Nitin Kurade. Dr Bhaskar Gaikwad briefed the participants on the salient features of the Viksit Bharat-G RAM G Bill. As part of the programme some of the farmers were felicitated in recognition of their work. Dr K. Sammi Reddy, Director, ICAR-NIASM, in his address, highlighted the evolution of rural employment needs over the past two decades and underscored how the proposed Bill seeks to strengthen income security, accountability, and durable asset creation in rural areas. He stressed the importance of awareness generation among farmers to ensure informed participation in national development programmes.

Farmers and staff witnessed the live address of the Hon’ble Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan Ji, delivered during the national-level Kisan Samman Diwas programme in hybrid mode. The Hon’ble Minister elaborated on the objectives of the Viksit Bharat-G RAM G Bill, 2025, including the provision of 125 days of guaranteed wage employment per rural household, enhanced livelihood opportunities, and balanced availability of agricultural labour during peak farming seasons. Shri Bhagirath Choudhary Ji, Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare also addressed the farming community on the occasion.

The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation by more than 200 participants, including 143 farmers (96 male and 47 female). The event served as an effective platform for farmer-scientist interaction and contributed significantly to raising awareness about reforms in rural employment and livelihood security. The programme was coordinated by Dr. VD Kakade, Mr. Ravi Kumar (Convenors) and Drs. NP Kurade, DD Nangare, SS Pawar, AV Nirmale, BB Gaikwad, SB Chavan, Rajkumar, Paritosh Kumar, Aliza Pradhan (Co-Convenors).