Also, no genetically modified crops will be permitted, he said at a press conference in Bhopal.
“This is a major decision that will maintain the purity of Indian agriculture and ensure that our soil and our seeds remain protected,” he said.
Several farmer organisations, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), have raised concerns about the trade deal’s potential impact on farmers’ incomes and called it a ‘total surrender’.
“Not a single product has been included in this agreement that would cause even the slightest harm to Indian farmers. All sensitive commodities have been completely excluded from the deal,” said Chouhan. “We have not opened doors for the US for our major grains, fruits and dairy products.”
The farmer organisations have called for a general strike on February 12 against the trade deal.
“The import of DDGS (a by-product of grain-based ethanol used as feed) can suppress prices of oilseeds like mustard, soyabean and cotton seeds, affecting farmers’ realisations,” said AIKS national joint secretary Ajit Navale.The organisations are worried that the US would eventually force soyabean meal, processed dairy like protein and other agricultural products, which have become excess due to their trade tensions with China, said Navale.
Farmer leaders have also demanded more transparency from the government. “There is huge opacity about the trade deal with the US. The government has neither discussed it in Parliament nor shared important details with the nation,” said P Krishnaprasad, a member of SKM’s co-ordination committee. He added: “As per the framework on interim agreement released by the government, US agriculture and horticulture products will be exported without tariff to India, which is contrary to the claim made by union commerce minister Piyush Goyal.”