Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, Nov 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called on Indian farmers to move beyond monocropping and adopt intercropping and organic farming as the cornerstone of the nation’s agricultural future. He delivered the address at the South India Natural Farming Summit held at CODISSIA grounds in Coimbatore.
Beginning his speech with local cultural references, Modi paid respects to Maruthamalai Murugan and lauded Coimbatore as a hub of compassion, culture, and industrial strength. “Coimbatore powers South India’s industrial sector and plays a pivotal role in the country’s textile industry,” he said.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the resilience of Tamil Nadu’s farmers and highlighted the contributions of former Coimbatore MP C.P. Radhakrishnan, now serving as Vice-President of India. Modi also shared that organic and natural farming hold a special place in his vision for agriculture. “Attending this summit has been a learning experience for me,” he remarked.
Highlighting India’s growing position in global organic farming, Modi said, “Young farmers are modernising agriculture and driving rural economic growth. Agricultural exports have doubled in recent years, reflecting a structural transformation in the sector.”
He underlined the government’s support, noting that over Rs 10,000 crore has been disbursed this year alone under the Kisan Credit Card scheme. The 21st instalment of PM-KISAN was also released on Wednesday, transferring Rs 18,000 crore to nine crore farmers. “Small farmers have cumulatively received Rs 4 lakh crore through this initiative so far,” he said.
Modi further praised efforts to reduce GST on organic fertilisers, emphasising that excessive chemical fertiliser and pesticide use harms soil health and raises production costs. “Organic farming is crucial for this century. It safeguards soil fertility and limits ecological damage,” he said.
The Prime Minister stressed reviving traditional food systems, particularly the cultivation of millets, long integral to Tamil Nadu’s cuisine. “We offer honey and thinai to Lord Murugan. These grains have sustained generations,” he added.
Highlighting the diversity of southern agriculture, Modi described states like Kerala as “living agricultural universities,” where hill farmers practice multilevel cropping, growing pepper and other crops alongside coconut and jackfruit trees. He urged that intercropping should become a nationwide movement.
“Tamil Nadu cultivates organic crops on 35,000 hectares. Such initiatives must expand across India,” he said, stressing that organic produce should reach international markets and that agricultural education should incorporate natural farming.
Concluding his address, Modi encouraged farmers to start an “organic revolution,” even if it begins with just one acre in a single season. “Strengthening the organic farming market and achieving farmer self-reliance are critical. The government will fully support this journey,” he affirmed.