Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called on farmers across India to move away from monocropping and adopt intercropping and organic farming as the foundation of the country’s agricultural future.
He delivered this message while inaugurating the South India Natural Farming Summit at the CODISSIA grounds in Coimbatore.
PM Modi opened his address by invoking local sentiments. He bowed to Maruthamalai Murugan and said Coimbatore represents compassion, culture, and industrial strength.
He described the city as the powerhouse of South India’s industrial sector and a key contributor to India’s textile industry.
The Prime Minister praised Tamil Nadu’s farmers for their resilience and noted that former Coimbatore MP CP Radhakrishnan now serves the nation as Vice-President.
He said organic and natural farming remain close to his heart and added that he valued the chance to learn from the summit.
Towards Natural Farming Nationwide
PM Modi said India is rapidly emerging as a global hub for organic farming.
He credited young farmers for modernising agriculture and strengthening the rural economy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi pointed out that India’s agricultural exports have doubled in recent years, signalling a structural shift in the sector.
Highlighting central government support, he said the Kisan Credit Card scheme disbursed over Rs 10,000 crore this year.
He also announced that the government released the 21st instalment of PM-KISAN earlier in the day, transferring Rs 18,000 crore to nine crore farmers.
PM Modi said small farmers have collectively received Rs 4 lakh crore under the scheme so far.
PM Modi said reducing GST on organic fertilisers has helped cultivators. He added that excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has damaged soil fertility and increased production costs.
He emphasised that organic farming preserves soil health and reduces ecological harm.
Calling for a revival of traditional food systems, he encouraged the cultivation of millets, which have long been part of Tamil Nadu’s culture. The Prime Minister said honey and thinai offered to Lord Murugan reflect this heritage.
PM Modi described the southern states as a “living agricultural university.” He cited Kerala’s hill farmers, who practice multilevel cropping by growing pepper and other crops between coconut and jackfruit trees.
He said intercropping must become a national movement. PM Modi highlighted that Tamil Nadu cultivates organic crops across 35,000 hectares.
PM Modi urged farmers to start an “organic revolution,” even if it begins with one acre.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that expanding organic markets and ensuring farmer self-reliance are essential goals. He assured farmers that the government will fully support them.
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