NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that natural farming may be expanded to harness the organic market, adding that more awareness and popularisation of Indian millets is required.

"We promote organic farming, and as a result, the market for organic products has grown to Rs 11,000 crore. Organic exports have increased from Rs 2,000 crore rupees six years ago to more than Rs 7,000 crore rupees today "Modi made the remarks at a webinar on the impact of the Union Budget 2022 on agriculture.

"As more people adopt environmentally friendly lifestyles, demand for organic products is rising, and India should take advantage of this growing market by boosting natural farming," he said. The first of the seven budget pointers he mentioned was natural farming along the Ganga for up to five kilometres on both banks.

Modi also emphasised the importance of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in bringing natural farming to every single person, suggesting that each KVK adopt one village and agriculture universities seek to help 500-1000 farmers transition to natural farming.

The Prime Minister asked the corporate world to come forward to promote the Indian brand of millets to the rest of the globe, noting that 2023 is the 'International Year of Millets.' "We need to push these coarse grains ahead, we need to raise awareness and popularise them," Modi added, suggesting that larger Indian missions in other countries provide seminars so importers may learn about the quality and variety of India's millets. He also mentioned how a variety of foreign food products are finding their way to Indian dinner tables.

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