Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced his address at the South India Natural Farming Summit in Coimbatore today with a striking observation, saying the sight of farmers waving their gamchas (traditional towels) made him feel as though the "winds of Bihar had arrived in Tamil Nadu before me". This remark, delivered on November 19, 2025, immediately resonated with the audience, establishing a connection between the agricultural heartlands of Bihar and Tamil Nadu.
The Prime Minister's visit to Tamil Nadu was multifaceted. Prior to the summit, he paid respects at the holy shrine and Mahasamadhi of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, participating in the spiritual leader's centenary celebrations. He released a commemorative coin and postage stamps honoring Sathya Sai Baba's life and legacy, before traveling to Coimbatore to inaugurate the South India Natural Farming Summit.
The three-day summit, organized by the Tamil Nadu Natural Farming Stakeholders Forum, aims to promote sustainable, eco-friendly, and chemical-free agricultural practices. It seeks to accelerate the shift towards natural and regenerative farming, positioning it as a viable, climate-smart, and economically sustainable model for India's agricultural future. The event is expected to draw over 50,000 participants, including farmers, scientists, and organic input suppliers from Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
During his address, Modi highlighted India's commitment to organic farming and praised Tamil Nadu's farmers for embracing organic practices. He emphasized the importance of natural farming for soil enrichment, the health of consumers, and animal welfare. He also underscored the potential of natural farming to boost the rural economy, with young people increasingly viewing agriculture as a modern and scalable opportunity.
A key event during the summit was the release of the 21st installment of the PM-KISAN scheme, with over ₹18,000 crore disbursed to benefit nine crore farmers across the country. This direct financial assistance program provides eligible farmers with ₹6,000 annually, distributed in three equal installments directly into their bank accounts. In Tamil Nadu alone, over 21 lakh farmers are expected to benefit from this installment.
The Prime Minister also spoke about creating market linkages for farmer-producer organizations and rural entrepreneurs, and showcasing innovations in organic inputs, agro-processing, eco-friendly packaging and indigenous agricultural technologies. He expressed admiration for farmers who are adopting innovative approaches, including those with backgrounds in fields like mechanical engineering and even those who have left organizations like NASA to pursue farming.
Prior to the Prime Minister's arrival, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin criticized the central government for denying Metro rail projects to Madurai and Coimbatore, alleging political bias. Despite this political backdrop, the focus of the summit remained on promoting sustainable agriculture and supporting farmers across South India.
