R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, NOV 18
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a crucial two-state visit on Wednesday, November 19, with Tamil Nadu emerging as the focal point of the day’s agenda as he inaugurates the South India Natural Farming Summit in Coimbatore and releases a massive financial outlay for farmers under PM-KISAN.
The day will begin in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, where the Prime Minister will offer respects at the Mahasamadhi of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba around 10 am. He will take part in the Centenary Celebrations shortly after and release a commemorative coin and a special set of postal stamps honouring the spiritual leader’s life and teachings.
- Coimbatore set for South India Natural Farming Summit inauguration
- ₹18,000 crore PM-KISAN instalment to be released for 9 crore farmers
- TN farmers, FPOs and rural innovators to be at the centre of the mega agricultural event
- PM to begin day with visit to Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh for Sathya Sai Baba Centenary celebrations
Coimbatore to Host Major National Push on Natural Farming
By afternoon, all eyes will shift to Tamil Nadu as the Prime Minister arrives in Coimbatore at 1:30 pm to inaugurate the South India Natural Farming Summit, a landmark gathering expected to propel the region’s shift towards chemical-free, regenerative and climate-smart agricultural systems.
During the programme, the Prime Minister will release the 21st instalment of PM-KISAN—a direct benefit transfer exceeding ₹18,000 crore to support more than 9 crore farmers across India, including lakhs of beneficiaries in Tamil Nadu’s farming heartlands.
Modi is also scheduled to address farmers, natural farming practitioners and agricultural innovators from across the southern states.
TN at the Centre of India’s Natural Farming Transition
Organised by the Tamil Nadu Natural Farming Stakeholders Forum, the three-day summit (Nov 19–21) aims to accelerate the state and region’s transition towards a sustainable, low-input and economically resilient farming model.
Key highlights include:
- Participation of over 50,000 farmers
- Delegates from Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh
- Showcases of organic inputs, indigenous technologies, eco-friendly packaging
- Market linkage platforms for FPOs and rural entrepreneurs
- Knowledge exchanges with scientists and natural farming experts
The summit is expected to boost market access for farmer-producer organisations, strengthen value chains for eco-friendly produce, and encourage youth-led agri-entrepreneurship in Tamil Nadu.
A Strategic Visit with Strong Focus on Southern Agriculture
The Prime Minister’s visit underscores the Centre’s renewed push to position Tamil Nadu as a leader in natural farming, a sector gaining rapid traction amid concerns about soil health, input costs, and climate resilience.
With the PM-KISAN instalment release coinciding with the Coimbatore event, the visit is expected to galvanise support from grassroots farming communities and further integrate the South into national-level agri reforms.
