In Erode district, about 12,000 hectares of paddy cultivation have now been brought under the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). This method helps in increasing the yield and reducing the cost of production, said Indian Organic Farming Movement president G Namalvar.

Similarly, over 15,000 hectares are under SRI in Nilgiris, while in Nagapattinam district, it is about 54,000 hectares and in Thanjavur district, it is about 100 hectares.

They also sought establishment of a university or higher education platform in the state which could offer specialisation in organic farming. The Tamil Nadu government should study the Kerala model in this regard where the latter aims to switch to organic farming completely within a period of five years, he said.

Additional facilities like issuance of organic farm inputs were also sought from the state government.