No market opened for agriculture in India-US trade deal, says Chouhan

Chouhan said that, rather than compromising farmers' interests, the trade deal will open new avenues of opportunity for crops such as rice

Allaying fears that farmers’ interests will be compromised post the India-US trade deal, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday said that no market has been opened for any major or chief crops, be it staple grains, fruits or dairy products as part of the pact. 

“So, this deal has been made in the national interest, with the farmers’ utmost concern,” Chouhan said while talking to

the media. 

Emphasising that farmers' interests are paramount for the government, he said that they are fully protected and nothing big will come into India’s farm sector as part of the deal. 

“I as the country’s agriculture minister once again reiterate that the interests of Indian farmers are completely safe. Whether it's our small farmers or large farmers, our primary agricultural products will all be safe. The market has not been opened for anything like this,” Chouhan said. On the Congress’ allegation that farmers’ interest has been compromised in the the trade deal, Chouhan said that Congress and the opposition are frustrated and mentally disturbed. 

“They cannot compete on the ground. One defeat after another has filled them with despair, hopelessness, and frustration, and that is why they are blindly protesting. They have become machines of lies, a market for rumours. That is why they want to create an atmosphere of chaos by spreading rumours,” he said. 

Chouhan said the trade deal will open new avenues of opportunities for crops like rice etc. 

“Our exports will be boosted by the reduction in tariffs. Our rice, spices, even textiles... When textile exports increase, cotton farmers will benefit. Therefore, this deal is completely in the interest of India’s farmers,” Chouhan said. 

On the doubts raised by the tweet by the US treasury secretary that more American farm products will now be shipped to India, Chouhan said Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has clarified the situation in Parliament in his statement. 

Soybean processors urge govt not to allow GM soybean meal

 

The Soybean Processors Association of India (Sopa) on Thursday in a letter written to the Commerce Ministry urged the government to reject the poultry industry's demand to permit import of genetically modified (GM) soybean meal as its prices have gone up. "We strongly urge the government to reject this request. Permitting im-ports when domestic supply is ad-equate would be detrimental to millions of farmers and the long-term fundamentals of our agriculture sec-tor," Sopa said.