1987 - Small Farmers | Commemorative Coin

The second commemorative coin of 1987 was issued with the theme ‘Small Farmers,’ as part of the World Food Day observances under the Food and Agriculture Organization.

World Food Day in 1987 placed a special spotlight on small farmers, recognising their indispensable role in strengthening global food security and supporting sustainable agricultural development. Guided by the Food and Agriculture Organization's mission to eradicate hunger and improve livelihoods, the year’s theme highlighted the contributions, struggles, and aspirations of the millions of small and marginal farmers who form the backbone of food production, especially in developing nations like India. These farmers, often working on limited landholdings with minimal resources, continue to supply a significant share of the world's food, yet remain among the most vulnerable to economic pressures, environmental challenges, and changing agricultural trends.

In 1987, the FAO emphasised that supporting small farmers was crucial for achieving long-term stability in food systems. The theme encouraged governments, institutions, and communities to recognise that empowering these farmers through improved access to credit, seeds, technology, irrigation, and training would directly enhance productivity and resilience. It also drew attention to issues such as land scarcity, low market prices, lack of infrastructure, and the disproportionate impact of natural calamities on rural agricultural families. By placing small farmers at the centre of global discourse, the initiative aimed to build awareness of the socio-economic inequalities within the agricultural sector and promote corrective measures grounded in equity and sustainability.

India, with its vast agrarian population, saw the theme resonate particularly strongly. Numerous programmes were introduced or strengthened to support rural communities, expand cooperative movements, offer subsidised inputs, and encourage community-based farming models. The importance of empowering women farmers—often the unseen contributors to agricultural labour—also came into sharper focus, reflecting a more inclusive approach to rural development. The observance reaffirmed that improving the lives of small farmers was not merely a matter of agricultural progress but a critical step toward reducing hunger and poverty.

World Food Day 1987 thus served as a powerful reminder that global food security rests heavily upon the shoulders of those who cultivate the land with dedication and perseverance. By recognising small farmers as key agents of change, the FAO underscored the need for sustained investment, fair opportunities, and policy support to ensure that these essential food producers can thrive. Their progress remains central not only to feeding nations but also to shaping a more equitable and sustainable rural future.