Farmer groups in India are loudly opposing new interim trade deal with U.S.,worried it threatens their livelihoods. As U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer ended two-day stop in New Delhi on June 24, talks with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal focused on framework for wider U.S.-India Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA),set to be negotiated in 2025.
The interim deal suggests big changes: cutting tariffs on U.S . farm products like dried distillers’ grains,soybean oil,and tree nuts. Both countries want better trade ties, but these terms sound alarms for farmers across India. Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM),representing around 500 farmer groups,is organizing protests to voice their fears.
Farmers worry opening Indian markets to subsidized American goods will undercut them. Cheaper imports of feed substitutes like dried distillers’ grains might lower local maize and soybean prices. And removing cotton import duties could unsettle domestic prices,especially hitting farmers in Gujarat, Maharashtra,Punjab,and Haryana.
Beyond economic concerns, fears grow over GMOs and new pests entering farming systems. U.S. agriculture, with its large landholdings and big subsidies,can export cheaper,putting Indian farmers at a disadvantage.
Apple growers in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are especially worried about BTA's impact . About 1.5 million families in Himachal Pradesh rely on apples,pulling in ₹5,000-6,000 crore yearly. They fear low-cost imports could crush their industry. Kuldeep Singh Rathore, Congress MLA from Shimla, pointed out stark size differences between Indian and American apple orchards,with U.S. averaging around 100 acres compared to India's 1 to 2 acres.
Rathore stressed structural inequalities Indian apple growers face, producing much less per hectare than U.S. counterparts. Apple Farmers’ Federation of India (AFFI) echoed this,stating Indian orchardists face unfair competition against well-backed U.S . agribusiness .
After Greer’s visit, joint statement said both nations saw negotiation progress, committed to fair deal benefiting businesses,farmers,consumers alike. But Indian farmers' worries linger as they face this looming trade agreement's potential impacts…
