Activist Yogendra Yadav says Indo-US trade deal is a direct attack on farmers

New Delhi: Social activist and political commentator Yogendra Yadav has voiced serious concerns over India’s proposed tariff discussions with the United States, warning that Indian farmers could become the primary victims if trade concessions are pushed through without safeguards.

India and the US interim tariff agreement reduces duties on import of a range of agricultural goods, including animal feed, tree nuts, fruits, soybean oil and processed foods, while protecting sensitive sectors such as dairy, staples and key crops. Although, it also expands zero-duty access for many Indian farm exports to the US market.

Speaking on his social media channel, Yadav emphasised that “trade is not merely a matter of economics; it is a matter of people’s lives,” and urged the government to reconsider any arrangement that could weaken domestic agriculture.

"For the first time there is a trade agreement between India and USA where agriculture, which was previously protected, has been put in their trade agreement. Secondly, the Indian government is agreeing that fresh fruits like apple, almonds and all kinds of tree nuts, jowar (or sorghum), the import duty has been reduced to zero, which is a direct attack on the farmers.

"The biggest attack is from behind the door. The government says we have kept maize out of it. But there is the Dry Distillery Grain (DDG), which is maize given as animal feed. The government says they haven't opened the market for soyabean. But they have opened it for soyabean oil. So all these things are entering through the back door. The government is saying that when it is turned into formal agreement, more access will be given to the produce. The government is stating that non-tariff barriers will also be removed. America will tighten its noose on our animal feed market. This is a direct attack on Indian farmers," said Yadav.

Yadav questioned the rationale behind potential tariff reductions on agricultural imports, stating, “If we reduce tariffs, we are essentially inviting subsidised foreign produce into our markets. Our farmers are not in a position to compete with that.”

He added that the economic framework of US agriculture is “fundamentally different” from India’s, with large-scale mechanised farming and heavy state support. “You cannot compare a small Indian farmer with a US mega-farm,” he said.

The activist also expressed concern about the lack of stakeholder consultation in trade negotiations.

“Farmers are not being asked. Their voices are not being heard. This is not just a policy decision; it is a decision that will determine the future of rural India,” he said. He warned that agricultural interests are often sidelined in broader diplomatic or corporate agendas. “In past agreements, we have seen how farmers have been the first to lose when trade becomes the priority.”

Yadav highlighted the risk of eroding India’s minimum support price (MSP) system and public procurement mechanisms, which he described as “the last line of defence for millions of small farmers.” He cautioned, “If these safety nets are weakened, we will see distress and indebtedness rise again. Food security is not just about production; it is about ensuring farmers get a fair price.”

Calling for greater transparency, Yadav demanded parliamentary scrutiny and wider public debate before finalising any deal. “If the government is serious about protecting farmers, it must bring these discussions into the public domain. Secret deals will only harm the people,” he said.

Yadav concluded by stressing that trade must serve national interests rather than undermine them. “If farmers lose, the country loses,” he said. “Economic growth that comes at the cost of rural livelihoods is not progress. It is a tragedy.”

His comments come amid rising apprehension among farmer groups about increased market liberalisation and the impact of international trade agreements on domestic agriculture.

Tags : Yogendra Yadav, Indo-US trade deal, animal produce, fruits, almonds, tree nuts, apple