Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday for a significant visit focused on agriculture and farmer welfare, even as the state grapples with volatile weather conditions. The Prime Minister's schedule includes inaugurating the South India Natural Farming Summit and disbursing crucial financial support to farmers across the nation.
Major Financial Boost for Farmers
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi released over ₹18,000 crore to beneficiaries under the 21st instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme. This substantial financial injection is set to benefit approximately 9 crore farmers nationwide, providing much-needed support to the agricultural community.
The Prime Minister arrived in Coimbatore at 1:30 pm after attending the centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi. His visit comes at a time when the Tamil Nadu BJP has launched the "#VanakkamModi" campaign, portraying him as a genuine supporter of the farming community.
Natural Farming Summit and Agricultural Innovations
The South India Natural Farming Summit represents a significant push toward sustainable agricultural practices. The event aims to promote natural and regenerative farming methods while strengthening market connections for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and rural entrepreneurs.
More than 50,000 farmers, experts, and stakeholders from Tamil Nadu and neighboring states are participating in the summit. The event showcases innovations across various sectors including organic inputs, agro-processing, eco-friendly packaging, and indigenous technologies.
Weather Challenges and Political Context
The Prime Minister's visit coincides with challenging weather conditions across Tamil Nadu. The India Meteorological Department continues to monitor a low-pressure area over the Southwest Bay of Bengal that has triggered widespread rainfall throughout the state.
Fresh alerts have been issued for thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy showers through the week. Specific regions including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal are likely to experience light to moderate rain, while Cuddalore and Mayiladuthurai may witness isolated heavy spells on Wednesday and Thursday.
Chennai, already dealing with waterlogging and traffic disruptions, faces potential worsening conditions over the weekend. The IMD forecasts heavier rainfall for Saturday and Sunday, prompting authorities to advise parents to maintain communication with schools for updates.
The political landscape also saw developments as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin raised the Metro issue ahead of the Prime Minister's visit, adding another dimension to the day's events.
