Farmers in India Protest Against Trade Agreement with the US, Fearing Threats to the Agricultural Sector
Mass protests by farmers have begun in the city of Lucknow against the planned trade agreement between India and the United States. Representatives of the Indian Farmers’ Union organized a sit-in strike outside the district administrator’s office, rallying under the slogan “My Field – My Right.”
This is reported by AgroReview
“My Field – My Right.”
Farmers’ Demands and Progress of the Protests
Farmers who have come from remote villages are waiting for a meeting with the district administrator to present a memorandum outlining their demands to the central government. The protesters stated that they would not leave the strike site until they personally deliver their appeal to the official, who has not yet come out to meet the participants of the action.
The organization Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), which unites farmers’ movements in India, reported an expansion of protests in the cities of Patna and Bangalore. The actions are spreading across the country, gaining mass support.
Causes of Discontent and Government Response
Thousands of farmers across India are expressing concerns about the trade agreement with the US, viewing it as a potential threat to the domestic agricultural sector. The organizers of the protests emphasize that concessions from the Indian government could open the market to American agricultural products, particularly DDGS and soybean oil, which they believe would create uneven competition for local producers.
Farmers’ unions fear that the import of cheaper products will lead to a decrease in the incomes of local agrarians. The situation is reminiscent of the mass protests of 2020-2021, when farmers paralyzed the capital of India, posing a serious political challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Large-scale actions are expected to take place in the state of Punjab and in central New Delhi, where security measures have already been intensified.
The government is trying to ease tensions among the protesters. Trade Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that sensitive sectors, such as dairy and poultry, are excluded from negotiations, and the import of genetically modified crops is not subject to concessions.
The trade agreement was previously announced by US President Donald Trump, who stated that tariffs would be reduced in exchange for increased purchases of American goods. However, the details of the agreement remain undisclosed, and changes in the wording from the American side have only heightened uncertainty among Indian farmers.