In the 121st episode of Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the spirit of innovation among Indian farmers, spotlighting how traditional farming norms are being reshaped across the country.
While apples are typically associated with the cold climates of Jammu and Kashmir or Himachal Pradesh, PM Modi lauded the successful cultivation of apples in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district. Shri Shail Teli, a farmer from Kulali village, has managed to grow apples even in temperatures exceeding 35°C, achieving a thriving orchard and a profitable harvest. “You must have eaten apples from the mountains, but have you tasted apples from Karnataka?” Modi asked listeners, underscoring this remarkable achievement.
The Prime Minister also mentioned saffron cultivation, traditionally limited to Kashmir, now being introduced in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, and Wayanad, Kerala. In Wayanad, saffron is grown using the aeroponics technique, without soil, marking a new chapter in Indian farming technology.
Adding to the list of agricultural milestones, PM Modi shared the story of Thiru Veera Arasu from Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. Once a coffee farmer, Arasu successfully cultivated litchis after seven years of dedication, despite litchis being a fruit usually grown in Bihar, West Bengal, and Jharkhand. Modi also noted litchi farming gaining ground in parts of Rajasthan.
Beyond farming innovation, the Prime Minister highlighted the success of the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign. As it nears its one-year mark on World Environment Day (June 5), over 140 crore trees have been planted across India in honor of mothers, both biological and Mother Earth. PM Modi expressed pride that the movement has even inspired people beyond India’s borders.
Through these stories, PM Modi emphasized the message that with determination and innovation, Indian farmers are redefining possibilities in agriculture.