PM Modi Launches South India Natural Farming Summit, Calls for Soil Revival

Opening his remarks with salutations to Lord Murugan of Marudhamalai, Prime Minister Modi described Coimbatore as a land blessed with culture, compassion, and creativity.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the South India Natural Farming Summit 2025 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, affirming that India is on the cusp of a major agricultural transformation rooted in sustainability, tradition, and scientific innovation. Addressing thousands of farmers, scientists, agri-startups, and industry leaders, the Prime Minister declared that India is moving rapidly toward becoming a global hub for natural farming.

---

Coimbatore: A Symbol of Culture, Creativity, and Agricultural Vision

Opening his remarks with salutations to Lord Murugan of Marudhamalai, Prime Minister Modi described Coimbatore as a land blessed with culture, compassion, and creativity. He highlighted the city’s contribution to India’s industrial and textile sectors and noted that its legacy now shines further, with former Coimbatore MP Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan serving as the Vice President of India.

The Prime Minister said that the Natural Farming Summit represents both a cultural convergence and an agricultural movement, bringing together diverse stakeholders committed to transforming India’s agri-ecosystem.

---

India’s Agriculture Entering a New Era

Shri Modi emphasized that natural farming is close to his heart, and he believes it will usher in a green revolution that strengthens both farmers and the environment. He said India’s agricultural sector has seen remarkable progress over the past 11 years, including:

• Agricultural exports nearly doubling, showcasing India’s global competitiveness

• Over ₹10 lakh crore assistance to farmers through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme this year alone

• Extension of KCC benefits to livestock and fisheries, enabling holistic rural development

• Reduction in GST on bio-fertilizers, making sustainable inputs more affordable

Moments earlier, the Prime Minister released the 21st installment of PM-KISAN, transferring ₹18,000 crore directly to farmers’ accounts, including lakhs in Tamil Nadu. He highlighted that ₹4 lakh crore has been transferred since the scheme’s inception—empowering small farmers and strengthening their financial resilience.

---

Why Natural Farming Is the Future

The Prime Minister stressed that the 21st-century agricultural model must prioritise sustainability, soil health, and climate resilience. He warned against excessive reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, citing their long-term impacts:

• Declining soil fertility

• Reduced soil moisture retention

• Rising cost of cultivation

• Lower nutritional value in produce

He urged adoption of natural farming and crop diversification to reverse the damage and preserve biodiversity for future generations. Natural farming, he said, is both a vision and a necessity.

Key Benefits of Natural Farming Highlighted by PM Modi:

• Restores soil health and microbial activity

• Protects farmers and consumers from harmful chemical residues

• Strengthens food security

• Supports climate-resilient agriculture

• Reduces input costs and enhances profitability

---

South India Emerging as a Leader in Natural Agriculture

The Prime Minister noted that the National Mission on Natural Farming, launched just a year ago, has already connected lakhs of farmers, with strong adoption in South India. Tamil Nadu alone has 35,000 hectares under organic and natural farming practices.

He praised the revival and mainstreaming of traditional techniques such as:

• Panchagavya

• Jeevamrit

• Beejamrit

• Mulching

These indigenous Indian practices, he said, reflect a holistic understanding of nature, ecology, and plant health.

---

Shree Anna (Millets): India’s Superfood for Global Markets

Prime Minister Modi highlighted the deep cultural connection between South India and Shree Anna (millets), noting that offerings such as Thenum Thinai Maavum show how millets are woven into spiritual tradition.

He pointed out that:

• Tamil Nadu’s Kambu and Samai,

• Kerala and Karnataka’s Ragi,

• Andhra and Telangana’s Sajja and Jonna,

have nourished generations.

He said the government is committed to promoting millets worldwide and that natural farming will be central to boosting exports of these nutritious grains.

---

Learning from the Hills: Inspiration from South Indian Multi-Crop Models

Shri Modi reiterated his call to move from monoculture to multi-crop and multi-layer farming. He said South India is already a model, citing examples from hill regions:

• Coconut, areca nut, and fruit trees in the upper canopy

• Spices and black pepper grown beneath

• Efficient land use in small plots

• Stable, diversified income streams for farmers

He said this reflects the very soul of natural farming and should be replicated throughout India.

---

South India: A Living University of Agriculture

Highlighting the region’s agricultural heritage, the Prime Minister noted South India's achievements:

• Some of the world’s oldest functional dams

• The Kalingarayan Canal, built in the 13th century

• Temple tanks as ancient models of decentralised water conservation

• Historic innovations in water engineering that sustained agriculture for millennia

He expressed confidence that South India will once again lead the world—this time in natural and regenerative farming.

---

A Call to Farmers, Scientists, and States

Prime Minister Modi outlined a partnership-driven roadmap:

Farmers

• Begin with one acre, one season of natural farming

• Scale up based on observed success

Scientists and Agriculture Universities

• Integrate natural farming into curriculums and research

• Treat farmers’ fields as living laboratories

Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)

• Facilitate clusters for cleaning, grading, packaging, and processing

• Connect farmers directly to e-NAM and digital markets

He stressed that when traditional wisdom, scientific knowledge, and government support converge, Indian agriculture will become more profitable, sustainable, and globally competitive.

---

Building a Healthy Earth and Prosperous Farmers

The Prime Minister concluded with optimism, stating that the South India Natural Farming Summit 2025 will:

• Generate new ideas

• Promote innovative solutions

• Strengthen India’s commitment to sustainable agriculture

• Empower farmers while healing the environment

Governor R.N. Ravi and Union Minister Dr. L. Murugan were among the dignitaries present.