by Team Agrisnip | May 28, 2025 | Agri News, Global Agri
New Delhi, June 9, 2025
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today affirmed India’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the interests of its farmers amidst ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. Speaking on the sensitive issue of agricultural market access, Minister Chouhan stated unequivocally that any potential bilateral trade agreement would be finalized only after a meticulous assessment of its gains and losses, with farmer protection as the paramount consideration.
The Minister’s remarks come as negotiators from both nations work towards establishing the framework for the first phase of a bilateral deal, anticipated to be signed by September-October 2025. The United States has been actively pushing for greater market access for its agricultural and horticultural products, including key commodities like corn, soybeans, and animal feed. However, these efforts face significant hurdles due to India’s comparatively high agricultural tariffs, which can range from 39% to 50% on average.
Minister Chouhan underscored that while discussions with the US are ongoing, the fundamental principle guiding India’s stance remains clear: “One thing is clear, we will protect the interest of our farmers. When we talk about two nations, we need to see the overall trade.” This pragmatic approach acknowledges the broader economic relationship while prioritizing the livelihoods of India’s vast rural populace.
According to a report from NITI Aayog, “Promoting India-US Agricultural Trade under the new US Trade Regime,” the agricultural trade balance currently favors India. In the triennium ending 2024, US agricultural and allied product exports to India stood at approximately $2.22 billion, while India’s agricultural exports to the US were significantly higher, at $5.75 billion. India’s main agricultural exports to the US include valuable commodities such as frozen shrimp, basmati rice, spices, and processed cereals.
India’s cautious approach to fully opening its agriculture and dairy markets stems from legitimate concerns about potential backlash from rural communities and the imperative to shield domestic producers from the volatility of global prices. The government aims to strike a balance that fosters international trade while ensuring the stability and prosperity of its agricultural sector, which remains the backbone of its economy and a crucial source of employment.
by Team Agrisnip | May 28, 2025 | Agri News, Food, Import / Export
Bengaluru, June 9, 2025
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today unveiled an ambitious vision for India’s agricultural future, announcing the Centre’s resolute goal to transform the nation into the “food basket of the world.” Addressing a gathering of farmers at the ICAR-IIHR campus in Hessarghatta, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, as part of the ongoing Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, Minister Chouhan emphasized that India’s agricultural aspirations now extend far beyond merely feeding its own 145 crore citizens.
To achieve this monumental objective, the Union Government plans to forge strong collaborations with State Governments, agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), farmers, and scientists. This collective effort will culminate in a comprehensive roadmap designed to bolster agricultural productivity, innovation, and global competitiveness. The Minister highlighted that the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan initiative is intrinsically aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s overarching vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India) by the year 2047, underscoring the campaign’s core motto of ensuring holistic development of the agriculture sector nationwide.
A cornerstone of this strategy is the recently launched ‘Lab to Land’ initiative, a massive outreach program involving over 16,000 scientists. These experts are actively engaging with farmers across the country, providing crucial scientific knowledge, best practices, and direct support. Minister Chouhan shared impressive statistics, revealing that in just the last ten days, 1,896 teams have interacted with approximately 9 lakh farmers across 8,188 villages. In Karnataka alone, more than 70 interdisciplinary teams, comprising scientists and officials from agriculture and allied departments, are visiting farms daily. These teams are diligently recording direct feedback from farmers, which will be instrumental in shaping need-based, problem-oriented agricultural research programs. So far, 639 such teams have visited 2,495 villages in Karnataka, reaching out to 2,77,264 farmers.
Minister Chouhan articulated that the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan envisions a unified approach encapsulated by the motto ‘One Nation, One Agriculture, One Team’. To ensure farmers receive fair prices for their hard-earned produce, the Centre has pledged to bear the transportation costs of agricultural produce under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS). The event also served as a platform to honor excellence in agriculture, with Minister Chouhan felicitating seven outstanding farmers from Karnataka: Ratnamma, Gopal Gowda, Padmini Gowda, H.K. Raghu, Mangalamma, Mahesh H.N., and Sreenivas, acknowledging their significant contributions to the state’s agricultural landscape.
by Team Agrisnip | May 28, 2025 | Agri News, Farming
The opposition in Lok Sabha took a firm stand against the government’s approach to agriculture, accusing it of ignoring farmers’ interests in the Union Budget. SP MP Dharmendra Yadav highlighted that while the government waived off ₹16 lakh crore in industrial loans, it refused to grant loan waivers to struggling farmers, citing financial constraints.
Initiating the debate on demands for grants for the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry, Yadav pointed out that only 2.7% of the total Budget had been allocated to the sector, calling it highly disappointing. He alleged that despite frequent promises, the government harbors an anti-farmer stance.
Congress MP Jai Prakash criticized the treatment of protesting farmers, likening it to the British era, and vowed strong opposition to any reintroduction of controversial farm laws. DMK MP TM Selvaganapathi and Congress’ Charanjit Singh Channi expressed alarm over reports of duty-free US imports, fearing it would undercut Indian farmers and reverse policies aimed at self-reliance in food production.
As the debate continues, the opposition demands a clear stance from the government on import policies and financial support for farmers, pressing for immediate action to safeguard their livelihoods.
