In Focus by The Hindu Why are farmers protesting against an India-US trade deal?
Mar 13, 2026
Dr Ashok Dhawale, veteran farmer leader and president of the All India Kisan Sabha, discusses why many are opposing the India‑US interim trade framework. He highlights fears about tariff cuts flooding markets with cheap imports. He outlines risks to cotton, horticulture and smallholders, concerns over federal override of state rights, and plans for intensified farmer and labour mobilisations.
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Agreement Language Lets More Products Be Added
- The interim text explicitly lists numerous US food and agricultural items for tariff cuts, including DDGS, tree nuts, fresh fruit and soybean oil.
- Dhawale warns 'additional products' phrasing allows later inclusion of staples like cereals or dairy.
Imported Dairy Products Can Kill Local Milk Markets
- Dairy is already feeling pressure from liberalized imports of milk products, risking excess milk being wasted when processed-product imports displace local processors.
- Dhawale describes how imported cheese/butter can halt purchases of excess milk, harming small producers.
Feed Imports Can Cascade Into Wider Farm Losses
- Imported animal feed components like DDGS can crowd out Indian feed producers and cascade into harming livestock farmers.
- Dhawale emphasizes India could have reduced import dependency by stronger MSP and support for oilseed production instead.