‘Farmers’ interests safe in Indo-US trade’

Metro India News | sehore

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said the interim trade agreement between India and the United States fully safeguards the interests of Indian farmers, rejecting Opposition claims that the pact would harm the agricultural sector.

Speaking at the National Pulses Conference in Sehore district, Chouhan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently protected national interests and would never allow any agreement that compromises farmers’ welfare. His remarks come amid sustained criticism from the Congress, which has accused the Centre of yielding to US pressure and undermining Indian cultivators through the trade deal.

US President Donald Trump recently announced that India and the US had reached a trade understanding, while Prime Minister Modi said the agreement would help Indian products enter the American market at a reduced tariff of 18 per cent.

Chouhan said increased exports would create new opportunities for Indian farmers and help boost their incomes. He stated that commodities such as basmati rice, spices, textiles and other farm-linked products have been adequately protected under the agreement.

Addressing reporters on the sidelines of the conference, the minister said there was no provision allowing imports of sensitive farm products such as maize, wheat, rice, soybean, poultry items, milk, cheese, ethanol, fuel or tobacco from the US. He reiterated that Indian crops and farmers remain fully secure under the pact.

Chouhan also urged farmers to collectively acknowledge the government’s efforts in safeguarding agriculture while expanding export potential. He outlined measures to strengthen farming through a cluster-based approach, under which farmers would be organised to enhance productivity.

Under this model, farmers would receive seed kits and financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per hectare for model farming. The government, he said, is focusing on the entire agricultural value chain, from seed to market, to ensure fair prices.

The minister added that pulse processing would be promoted locally, with subsidies of up to Rs 25 lakh for setting up pulse mills. A total of 1,000 pulse mills are planned nationwide, including 55 in Madhya Pradesh.