Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his determination to protect the interests of farmers in the wake of tariff pressures and said it has been decided that there will be no compromise with the interests of the farming community. Speaking at an event in Subrahmanyam Hall in New Delhi, Chouhan emphasised that India’s population is its strength and the country will also find new markets.
In a veiled reference to the United States imposing 50 per cent tariff on India and apparent pressure in trade talks for greater access to India’s agriculture and dairy sectors, Chouhan said there is vast difference in the size of landholdings and agricultural practices and cost of production in the two countries.
“The whole country was apprehensive, tariff…You know how much land they hold: 10,000 hectares, 15,000 hectares. Meanwhile, our farmers have land ranging from one acre to three acres, with many having just half an acre. We have a little land. Is this competition fair? You use GM seeds. There are different kinds of perceptions about our GM. The whole country was apprehensive, what will happen? They want their soybean to come here, their wheat, maize, rice,” the Agriculture Minister said.
