Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has assured that India will not compromise on farmers’ interests in the India-US interim trade deal. He emphasized that sensitive crops like wheat, rice, and maize remain fully protected, and no imports that could harm farmers have been allowed. India, now the world’s top rice producer, continues to safeguard its agricultural self-sufficiency, the minister said.
The minister’s clarification comes amid ongoing discussions and concerns about the India-US trade agreement, particularly regarding its potential impact on India’s agricultural sector. The minister’s statements aim to reassure farmers and stakeholders that the government’s negotiations have prioritized protecting domestic producers from any adverse effects of increased foreign competition. By specifying quotas, duties, and outright bans on sensitive items, the agreement ensures that India’s self-sufficiency in key food grains and dairy remains intact.
