The Congress party said in a statement that farmer leaders have expressed deep concern for the livelihood of small and marginal producers, especially of maize, soybean, cotton, fruits and dry fruits. Photo Credit: ChipStudio
Farmer leaders have begun talks among themselves to plan a united protest to stop India from allowing access to the US market in agriculture and dairy when the two countries sign a trade deal in about a month. A farmers’ group in Uttar Pradesh, which is going to the assembly elections next year, has taken the lead in calling a farmers’ rally in the state capital on March 22.
Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan president VM Singh said, “We will organize a protest rally in Lucknow on March 22 against the proposed India-US trade agreement. We want agriculture and dairy to be kept out of its scope.” He also appealed to the farmers of their organizations to submit a memorandum to each district collector on February 16 against the deal.
Singh said there was no consultation with stakeholders on agriculture and once India agreed to some products, there would be an inflow of other products and small farmers in the country would not be able to survive.
While Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait, also from UP, is traveling to other states to garner support for a similar plan, some farmer leaders from Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh on Friday met opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and sought his support against the India-US interim trade agreement.
A farmer leader present at the meeting said Gandhi had stressed on a joint fight against the trade agreement, saying that once India agreed, it would be difficult for any subsequent government to reverse the concessions. He asked the farmer leaders to forget their personal differences and come together for a joint struggle to not allow any provision detrimental to the interests of the farmers and the country.
Farmer leaders expressed deep concern for the livelihood of small and marginal producers, especially of maize, soybean, cotton, fruits and dry fruits, the Congress party said in a statement.
Gandhi had said on February 12 that the government could file cases or privilege motions against him but he would stand firmly with the farmers. He had also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being “anti-farmer” and “selling out” the country through the India-US interim trade agreement.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was scheduled to address the media on Friday on the trade agreement, but it was canceled at the last minute. He has been speaking on various forums since February 8, defending the government’s position on this deal.
In a video message, Chouhan attacked the Congress party and Gandhi, alleging that they were “spreading lies” about the India-US trade deal. He said that the Narendra Modi government has completely protected the interests of the farming community.
addressing 64th Speaking at the ICAR-IARI convocation in Delhi on Friday, Chouhan also said that not only the trade agreement with the US, but all free trade agreements with other countries including Europe have been done in the national interest.
He said no major crops – such as wheat, maize, rice, soybean and coarse grains – face any tariff concessions that could hurt domestic producers, while sensitive sectors such as dairy and poultry are completely protected. But, the joint statement mentioned allowing import of coarse grain “red sorghum for fodder” from the US at zero or reduced tariff.
Published on February 13, 2026
