Why are farmers protesting against an India-US trade deal?

Last month, thousands of farmers across the country burnt symbolic copies of the India-US trade deal. They were protesting against the interim framework for a trade deal that India had signed with the US. While the Union government has emphasised that they have kept sensitive agriculture products out of the deal, farmers’ outfits and Opposition parties have said that the government has surrendered the interests of Indian farmers. 

It is being said that cheap, highly subsidised American produce will flood Indian markets, depressing domestic prices and hitting rural incomes. But the government claims that the deal will have safeguards built in, and so Indian farmers have nothing to worry. 

But farmers’ organisations are planning to intensify their protests in the coming weeks. Why are they not convinced by the government’s assurances? What are their concerns? And what are their demands? 

Guest: Dr Ashok Dhawale, a member of the National Coordination Committee of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SM) and National President of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS)

Host: G. Sampath

Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian

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