Indo-US Trade deal and fears of farmers that the NDA government need to clarify
New Delhi/Shimla:
Farmers across central India, particularly soybean growers of Madhya Pradesh, have raised alarm over the proposed India–US trade deal, warning that the agreement could cripple Indian agriculture, destroy rural employment, and wipe out small and marginal farmers who form the backbone of the farm economy.
Farmer leaders say the deal has already begun hurting markets. Soybean prices, which were hovering around ₹5,800 per quintal, have crashed by 12–15% the moment negotiations were announced, sending shockwaves through mandis.
“Soybean is not just a crop for us—it is our economy,” said farmers from Madhya Pradesh, which contributes nearly 50% of India’s soybean output and depends on it for diesel use, machinery operations, rural jobs, and local GDP. “If cheap imports are allowed, our produce will become unsellable.”
MSP Exists Only on Paper
Farmers pointed out that alternative crops being suggested—like maize, pulses and jowar—are already selling far below MSP.
- Maize is being sold at 50% of MSP
- Jowar (sorghum) is fetching ₹1,000–1,100 per quintal, while its MSP is around ₹3,600
- Pulses face similar distress pricing
“If soybean collapses and alternatives also don’t pay MSP, what are we supposed to grow?” asked a farmer leader. “This is slow economic murder.”
Agro-Industry at Risk
Farmer unions warned that soybean processing units, oil mills, poultry feed plants and transport-linked industries—accounting for nearly 19% of agro-based employment—could collapse if imports flood the market.
They also expressed fears that opening agriculture to subsidised US produce would permanently distort prices. “American farmers get heavy subsidies, advanced machinery and insurance cover. How can a two-acre Indian farmer compete with that?” they asked.
Apple Growers Fear Repeat of Past Disaster
Farmers also cited the example of apple growers, recalling how duty-free imports from Afghanistan and China in earlier years had hit domestic prices hard.
“Earlier apples were allowed in almost tax-free. We suffered huge losses. Now the same mistake is being repeated with other crops,” said farmers, warning that 50% of rural employment linked to horticulture and allied sectors could be wiped out.
‘What Did India Get?’
The sharpest criticism was reserved for the government’s silence on farmer safeguards.
“India gave away agriculture, data access, and strategic concessions. But what did farmers get? Zero,” farmers said. “No price protection, no import cap, no MSP guarantee.”
They accused the Centre of opening the agricultural gate fully, allowing unrestricted imports in future. “Once the door is open, anything can be pushed in,” they warned.
Call for Rethink
Farmers demanded that agriculture be kept outside free trade agreements, MSP be made legally enforceable, and import safeguards be built into any trade deal.
“If this deal goes through in its current form, Indian farmers will not survive,” they said, warning of nationwide protests if concerns are ignored.