KisANS

Kisans is the plural form of Kisan, a term from Hindi meaning farmer. In Indian English usage, Kisans refers to farmers, particularly smallholder cultivators and tenants who form a substantial part of the agricultural workforce. The term is commonly used in political and social discourse to describe farming communities, often grouped by region or crop.

Across India, Kisans cultivate a wide range of crops and live in diverse agrarian settings. They face issues such as price volatility, access to water and irrigation, credit constraints, and livelihoods tied to seasonal conditions. Farmer unions and associations—most notably the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), and other federations—advocate for policies on minimum support prices, procurement, irrigation, land rights, and agricultural credit.

Notable contemporary events include large-scale farmer activism in the 2020–2021 period, when protests centered on new agricultural laws enacted by the government. The demonstrations, led by coalitions such as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), involved rallies and border blockades around Delhi. In 2021, the government repealed the contested laws, though farmers' groups continue to press for guarantees on minimum support prices, a robust legal framework for agricultural markets, and broader protections for farming communities.

Kisans remain a central element of India's agrarian landscape, shaping debates on agricultural policy, rural livelihoods, and the role of government in farming.