Chandigarh: Bharatiya Kisan Union (Chaduni) national president Gurnam Singh Charuni on Saturday voiced concern over the proposed India-US trade agreement, warning that it could adversely affect farmers, livestock rearers, dairy and poultry sectors, and the country's food security.
Trade pact negotiations reach final stage
Addressing a press conference, Charuni said negotiations on the trade pact, underway since February 2025, have reportedly reached the final stage. He expressed apprehension that India might further open its agricultural markets to American products during talks scheduled in New Delhi on June 23-24 with US trade representative Jamieson Greer.
The BKU president alleged that reducing or eliminating import duties on products such as cotton, sorghum, soybean oil and orange juice would expose Indian farmers to competition from heavily subsidised American imports, which could weaken domestic agriculture, reduce farm incomes and increase economic distress in rural areas.
Concerns over dairy, poultry and GM products
Charuni also raised concerns over the possible entry of American dairy, poultry and genetically modified (GM) agricultural products into the Indian market. According to him, any dilution of the minimum support price (MSP) procurement system under external pressure would severely impact wheat, paddy and edible oil producers, particularly in Punjab and Haryana.
Chaduni claimed that India's MSP regime was being questioned at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and cautioned that any compromise on public procurement would harm millions of farmers dependent on the system. Demanding greater transparency, he urged the Centre to make all proposals related to the trade agreement public and hold extensive consultations with farmers, workers, dairy producers and agricultural experts before taking a final decision.
Nationwide protest called on June 23
The BKU leader called for peaceful protests across the country on June 23 against the proposed deal and announced a joint meeting of farmer, labour and social organisations at Kisan Bhawan, Chandigarh, on June 25 to discuss its potential impact and formulate a collective strategy.
