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India-US Trade Deal Protects Farmers, Boosts Exports: Shivraj Chouhan

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has firmly stated that the India-US trade agreement will not compromise the interests of Indian farmers. He countered the Opposition's criticism, asserting that the deal opens new doors for India's progress and will increase agricultural exports. The minister listed key products like maize, wheat, rice, dairy, and pulses as being completely safeguarded from American imports. He emphasized that the agreement, following others with the EU, fully protects the country's and farmers' interests while benefiting exporters, MSMEs, and youth.

Key Points: India-US Trade Agreement Safeguards Farmers, Says Minister

  • Farmers' interests fully protected
  • Exports of pulses, rice, spices to increase
  • Dairy and sensitive agri-products safeguarded
  • Opposition narrative rejected as false
2 min read

No compromise on interests of farmers in US trade agreement: Shivraj Chouhan

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chouhan assures no compromise on farmers' interests in US trade deal, highlights export benefits for pulses and dairy.

No compromise on interests of farmers in US trade agreement: Shivraj Chouhan
"Now India will become an exporter of pulses, and despite recent international agreements, not even the slightest impact will be allowed on the interests of Indian farmers. - Shivraj Singh Chouhan"

New Delhi, Feb 7

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said that the Opposition's narrative of "the country has been sold, farmers have been sold, farmers will be ruined" cannot hold up, as the India-US trade agreement will open new doors for India's progress and development, increase exports, create employment opportunities, and boost farmers' incomes.

"Our spices will be exported, rice exports to these countries will increase, our dairy products are safe, and thus Indian farmers will greatly benefit," said the minister.

Chouhan launched a nationwide pulses revolution from Amlaha in Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh.

Commenting on the political debate over the India-US agreement, the Union Minister said the Opposition was creating a hue and cry that an agreement with America would ruin and destroy Indian farmers.

He reminded that it is the same Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had said "I will not let the country bow" and also that no matter what price has to be paid, farmers' interests will be protected.

The recent agreement with the US, preceded by those with 27 countries of the European Union and earlier FTAs, "has shown today that the country's and farmers' interests have been fully safeguarded," said the minister.

Addressing farmers' main concerns, Chouhan said, "Maize, wheat, rice, soybean, poultry, milk, paneer, ethanol, tobacco, many vegetables, and several other agricultural and dairy products have been completely safeguarded".

He emphasised that India's market for these products is secure for Indian farmers; neither maize, nor wheat, nor rice, nor soy, nor poultry products, nor milk, nor paneer, nor ethanol, nor tobacco, nor many sensitive vegetables will come from America.

He further stressed that they will not come from America; India's interests have been fully protected.

"Now India will become an exporter of pulses, and despite recent international agreements, not even the slightest impact will be allowed on the interests of Indian farmers," he added.

Chouhan said this agreement will benefit other sectors of the country as well, especially our exporters, MSMEs, and youth.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
I want to believe this, but we've heard similar promises before. The real test will be on the ground. Will small and marginal farmers actually see their incomes rise, or will only big agri-businesses benefit? The details of the agreement need to be transparent.
A
Aman W
Finally some good news! My uncle is a soybean farmer in MP. If exports increase and our market is protected from American imports, it could be a game-changer for his family. The pulses revolution is also much needed to reduce our dependency on imports. 👍
S
Sarah B
As someone who follows international trade, this seems strategically important. Balancing market access with protecting sensitive sectors like dairy is a delicate act. If done right, it can boost the entire rural economy and create jobs beyond farming.
K
Karthik V
The opposition has a duty to question, but they should also offer constructive alternatives, not just create "hue and cry". We need bipartisan support on issues that affect our annadatas. Hope the benefits reach the actual farmer and aren't lost in middlemen.
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Nisha Z
Protecting milk, paneer, and vegetables is a relief. Our local markets and farmers should not be flooded with cheap imports. The focus should now be on improving quality and supply chains so our products can compete globally. Jai Kisan!

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