Why in the News? Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the South India Natural Farming Summit 2025 in Coimbatore, announced that India is poised to become a global hub of natural farming.
He highlighted the urgent need to shift from chemical-based agriculture to a science-backed natural farming model, linking it with soil health, farmer welfare, and sustainable agriculture.

Key Points of the News:

PM Modi’s Statement on Natural Farming:

• India is “poised to transform into a global hub of natural farming.”
• Natural farming is deeply rooted in Indian traditions and is a “necessity” for the 21st century.
• Expansion of natural farming is essential to:

• • Restore soil health
  • Reduce chemical fertilizer usage
  • Protect biodiversity
  • Promote sustainable agriculture

Natural Farming as a Science-Backed Movement:

• PM emphasised:
  “Our goal must be to make natural farming a fully science-backed movement.”
• Called for integration of:

• • Traditional knowledge
  • Scientific research
  • Government support

South India Natural Farming Summit 2025:

• Organised by farmers’ associations.
• Held in memory of G. Nammalvar, a noted organic farming scientist.
• Aimed at spreading awareness and techniques of natural & organic farming.

 

Adoption of Natural Farming in Tamil Nadu:

• 35,000 hectares of land in TN now under natural/organic farming.
• Encouragement to Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to push adoption of natural farming and millets.

PM’s Appeal to Farmers:

• Start with 1 acre under natural farming each season.
• Gradually expand once benefits become visible.

Supportive Government Policies Highlighted by PM:

• Agricultural exports doubled in last 11 years.
• Rs 10 lakh crore assistance under Kisan Credit Card scheme (farming + allied sectors).
• GST reduction on bio-fertilizers benefitted farmers.
• Push for:

• • Multi-cropping
  • Minor millets
  • Climate-resilient farming approaches

PM-Kisan: 21st Installment Released:

• PM transferred Rs 18,000 crore to farmer accounts nationwide.
• Total transfers under PM-Kisan so far: Rs 4 lakh crore.

Call for Scientific Integration

• Scientists & institutions urged to:

• • Include natural farming in curriculum.
  • Treat farmers’ fields as “living laboratories.”

Multi-Crop vs Monoculture

• PM advocated multi-crop agriculture, citing examples from:

• • Hilly regions of Kerala

Karnataka:

• Where farmers grow multiple crops on the same land to improve productivity and soil quality.

Youth Participation in Agriculture:

• PM appreciated increasing trend of:

• • Educated youth entering agriculture
  • Use of modern, sustainable techniques

What is Multi-Crop Agriculture?

Multi-crop agriculture (multiple cropping) means growing two or more crops on the same piece of land in a year or growing multiple crops together (intercropping).
It aims to maximize land use, increase farmers’ income, improve soil health, and reduce risk from climate or market fluctuations.

Multi-Crop Agriculture in the Hilly Regions of Kerala:

Kerala’s hilly regions—Wayanad, Idukki, Palakkad highlands, and parts of Malappuram—are known for their traditional and modern multi-cropping systems. These regions have undulating terrain, good rainfall, and fertile lateritic soil, which make them ideal for mixed farming.

Plantation-Based Multi-Cropping System:

Kerala’s hills follow a homestead farming system, where farmers plant several complementary crops on the same plot.

Coffee + Pepper + Banana / Ginger:

• Coffee plants act as the main crop
• Pepper vines climb on coffee shade trees
• Banana, ginger, or turmeric are planted as intercrops
• Provides income at different times of the year

Benefits:

• Better use of vertical space
• Income diversification
• Soil moisture retention
• Reduced pest attack due to crop diversity

Rubber Plantation with Intercrops:

Before rubber trees fully mature (first 5–7 years), farmers grow:

• Pineapple
• Tapioca
• Banana
• Cocoa

This helps earn income while waiting for rubber yields.

Arecanut-Based Mixed Cropping:

• In northern hilly regions like Wayanad:
• Arecanut palm fields are intercropped with:
• Black pepper
• Nutmeg
• Clove
• Banana

Cardamom Hills (Idukki) – Shade-Based Multi-Cropping:

Cardamom is grown under forest canopy along with:

• Pepper vines
• Coffee
• Jackfruit
• Citrus plants

Shade trees maintain humidity—ideal for cardamom’s microclimate.

Traditional Home Gardens (Keralite Homestead System):

Kerala’s famous “home garden model” is one of the world’s most diverse multi-crop systems.

Typical crops include:

• Coconut
• Banana
• Tapioca
• Spices
• Tubers
• Vegetables
• Medicinal plants