From solar-dried bananas to GI specialities
Farmers showcased an array of natural-farming products, including solar-dried bananas and several value-added items made from banana waste. The Prime Minister asked practical questions about waste utilisation, sales channels and market reach. Farmers responded that many products are sold online, in supermarkets across India, and exported to markets such as the United States, Japan and parts of Africa and Southeast Asia.
Delegations from Tamil Nadu emphasised that their display represented both Farmer Producer Companies and independent growers. Several geographical indication (GI) products — from Kumbakonam betel leaf to Madurai jasmine — were on display, underlining regional diversity and heritage value.
When Mr Modi asked about scale, one farmer said some FPOs collectively involve around a thousand members. The Prime Minister pressed on diversification, asking whether farmers cultivate single crops or mixed systems; farmers explained that regions follow different cropping patterns and often maintain exclusive crops alongside mixed models.
The discussion turned to incomes and youth training. Farmers reported that early scepticism about natural farming had given way to strong earnings: some practitioners earn up to ₹2 lakh a month—figures that, they said, make farming an attractive livelihood and a model for younger generations. Organisers added that model farms and university programmes have trained thousands, including 3,000 college students and 7,000 practicing farmers.
Value-addition, exports and market access
Farmers described multiple value-addition streams—moringa leaf powder, hair oil, copra, soaps and processed rice products—finding both domestic and international buyers. The Prime Minister noted the strong demand for moringa powder and enquired about principal export destinations; farmers identified the US, Japan, parts of Africa and Southeast Asia as major buyers.
Speakers highlighted direct-to-consumer online sales and supermarket distribution as key channels. They also underscored the role of FPOs in aggregating produce, building brands and negotiating export contracts.
Traditional varieties and GI strength
Tamil Nadu exhibitors displayed traditional paddy varieties—numbering nearly a thousand in local inventories—alongside millets and other crops. Farmers stressed that many of these varieties now support value-added products and niche markets that command premium prices.
GI recognition for regional products bolsters marketability and preserves local knowledge. The Prime Minister probed whether these items find demand beyond Tamil Nadu; farmers assured him that GI goods are popular nationwide and form an integral part of cultural and ceremonial use.
Practical solutions: training, cattle hostels and scaling models
Mr Modi discussed practical support measures such as training and the idea of a “cattle hostel” — a model he referenced from Gujarat where village cattle are kept centrally to maintain hygiene and streamline veterinary care. Farmers confirmed mass production of inputs at model farms and distribution to nearby growers, and said training modules now attract younger farmers and students.
Organisers reiterated that the natural farming model combines on-farm demonstration, institutional training and market linkages. As farmers move from pilot projects to scale, they reported improved incomes, export potential and broader recognition.
What this means for India’s farm agenda
The Coimbatore interaction captured a shift in India’s agricultural conversation: from subsistence to market-oriented natural farming that values biodiversity, local knowledge and value addition. Stakeholders said when farmers earn competitive incomes, natural farming becomes both sustainable and aspirational.