New Delhi, March 18 Members of the opposition in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday expressed concerns that the India-US trade deal could severely impact farmers and negatively affect the Indian economy.
Participating in a debate on the demands for grants for the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for 2026-27, RJD's Sudhakar Singh claimed that the deal would allow US farmers to export farm products without any duty, while Indian farmers would have to pay 18 percent duty for their exports to the US.
"This will be a major blow to farmers' income and will cripple the Indian agricultural sector," he claimed.
He also questioned what happened to the "promise of guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers" that was made while withdrawing the three central farm laws.
He argued that if the government provides the MSP guarantee, farmers will make India self-sufficient in pulses and oilseeds, and the country can save about Rs 2 lakh crore spent on importing these two items.
He also demanded that subsidies on fertilizers should be diverted to farmers, who are the end consumers.
Singh also called for a debt waiver for farmers, arguing that if the government can "write off loans worth Rs 17 lakh crore for corporations, it should also consider providing at least Rs 5 lakh crore in support to the 'annadata' (the food provider)".
Raising concerns over the PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), CPI(M) MP Amara Ram claimed that the scheme favors companies, and farmers are getting a raw deal.
Ram further said that the proposed bilateral trade deal with the US will harm the interests of Indian farmers and greatly benefit US farmers.
"It must be noted that if farmers prosper, India will progress, and if farmers suffer, the country's economy will decline," he said.
Charanjit Singh Channi (Congress) demanded that the government address the "discrepancies" in the PM Fasal Bima Yojana and make it more farmer-friendly.
On the issue of the bilateral trade deal, Channi expressed surprise that the government is "silent" on it, and that only the US Administration is talking, and all information and details are coming from Washington.
"If this trade deal in its present form is implemented, the Indian agricultural sector will be ruined, and the country's economy will suffer," he claimed.
Naresh Chandra Uttam Patel of the Samajwadi Party urged the government not to allow the import of soybean, dairy products, and cattle fodder from abroad, as it would "financially cripple" the farmers involved in these sectors.
Patel also demanded that the government should increase the amount paid under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).