Farmers Demand Government Clarification on US Trade Agreement Impact
In Bathinda, farmer groups have issued a strong demand to the central government, seeking immediate clarification regarding potential openings in India's agriculture sector to the United States as part of a forthcoming trade agreement. This urgent call comes directly in response to recent public statements made by US Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, who emphasized the strategic importance of India's rapidly growing population as a crucial market for American agricultural products.
US Official's Comments Spark Farmer Concerns
Secretary Rollins highlighted on social media platforms that the proposed trade deal would significantly contribute to reducing America's substantial agricultural trade deficit with India, which currently stands at approximately $1.3 billion for the year 2024. These remarks have triggered widespread apprehension among Indian farming communities who fear that such an agreement could potentially compromise domestic agricultural interests and livelihoods.
Sanyukt Kisan Morcha's Strong Opposition
The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), a prominent coalition of farmer organizations, has expressed vehement opposition to any trade agreement with the United States that involves the agriculture sector. The national council of SKM recently adopted a formal resolution that serves as a stern warning to the central government against signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the USA that would open India's agriculture and dairy sectors to international competition.
Resolution Details and Farmer Mobilization
The resolution explicitly calls upon farmers across the nation to unite and rally against what they perceive as compromising India's agricultural interests under pressure from both US diplomatic forces and corporate entities. The document declares that farmers are prepared to launch widespread struggles reminiscent of the historic 2020-21 farmer protests if the government proceeds with such an agreement without adequate safeguards for domestic producers.
Potential Consequences for Indian Agriculture
SKM has articulated grave concerns that the proposed trade deal could have devastating consequences for millions of Indians whose livelihoods depend on agriculture, dairying, fishing, and horticulture. The organization has warned that opening floodgates to American farm products by reducing import duties to zero or drastically low levels would potentially devastate the economic stability of countless small-scale producers throughout India.
The farmer groups emphasize that any trade agreement must prioritize the protection of domestic agricultural interests and ensure that India's food sovereignty remains uncompromised. They argue that while international trade relationships are important, they should not come at the expense of the country's agricultural backbone and the millions who depend on it for their survival and economic well-being.
