The newly signed US-India trade deal has ignited widespread anger among Indian farmers. Farm unions have announced a nationwide strike on 12 February, warning that the agreement threatens domestic agriculture and rural livelihoods.
While US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer publicly hailed the deal as a major win for American farmers, the Indian government has remained largely silent. In particular, it has not clarified the likely impact on India’s agriculture and dairy sectors.
Market Access for US, Pressure on Indian Farmers
According to official US statements, the agreement will expand American agricultural exports to India, secure better prices for US producers, and inject more capital into rural America.
However, Indian farm organisations argue that these gains will come at a direct cost to local cultivators. Under the deal, India has opened its market to several US agricultural and food products. These include dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGs), red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruits, soybean oil, wine, and spirits.
At the same time, the US has reportedly raised tariffs on certain Indian imports from 3.3 percent to 18 percent, even as American products gain wider access to the Indian market. Farmers say this creates a clear imbalance.
Soybean Farmers Under Severe Stress
Soybean growers are among the hardest hit. Increased imports of US soybean oil are expected to push domestic prices further down.
Currently, soybean prices in India remain well below the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 5,328 per quintal. As a result, farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Rajasthan face mounting financial pressure.
Farm leaders warn that further import liberalisation could devastate farmgate prices. Consequently, unions are mobilising for a prolonged protest if their demands remain ignored.
“No Consultation With Farmers”
Speaking on behalf of farm unions, Rakesh Tikait, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, criticised the government’s approach.
He said the agreement was signed without consultation with farmers’ organisations or any credible assessment of its impact on agriculture and rural employment. Moreover, unions have highlighted the uneven playing field created by heavy subsidies in developed economies.
Therefore, farmer groups insist that unless the government revisits key provisions of the US-India trade deal, protests will intensify in the coming weeks.
