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How a financial squeeze on farmers poses a challenge for PM Modi in 2019

Indian farmers voted overwhelmingly for Modi in 2014. But a fall in rural incomes risks damaging that support next year

farmer protest at Delhi-UP border
premium

Police use tear gas to disperse farmers protesting at Delhi-UP border during 'Kisan Kranti Padyatra'

Reuters Mumbai/New Delhi
The financial squeeze on India's farmers is set to worsen because of record high fuel prices and surging costs of fertilisers, posing a challenge to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an election that must be held by May.

The rise in input prices could not have come at worse time for farmers, already grappling with falling domestic product prices due to rising yields and abundant harvests.

Yet, the government has few easy options to respond. Rival global producers have complained about Indian state support and falling global farm product prices undermine export prospects.

Indian farmers voted overwhelmingly for Modi in 2014. But