Trade deal with US harming farmers’ interests, says AIKS leader
The Hindu - 26 April 2026
Trade deal with US harming farmers’ interests, says AIKS leader
By G.V.R. Subba Rao
Farmers taking out a procession as part of 4th State Conference of the Andhra Pradesh Tenant Farmers’ Association, at Uyyuru on Sunday.
All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) president Ashok Dhawale has alleged that India’s trade agreements with the United States have turned into a curse for farmers, severely impacting the agricultural sector.
Mr. Dhawale was addressing a public meeting on Veeramma Thalli temple premises at Uyyuru as part of the 4th State Conference of the Andhra Pradesh Tenant Farmers’ Association on Sunday.
He said farmers and tenant cultivators were facing an unprecedented crisis due to flawed policies of successive governments. He claimed that the trade deals had weakened domestic agriculture, while rising input costs such as fertilizers, pesticides, diesel, and seeds made farming increasingly unviable.
Mr. Dhawale also criticised the lack of effective land reforms since Independence, alleging that governments failed to protect cultivators. He said unchecked role of middlemen deprived farmers of fair prices, forcing many into debt traps and, in extreme cases, suicide. He held both the Central and State governments responsible for the worsening situation.
AP Tenant Farmers’ Association State general secretary Maganti Haribabu demanded interest-free bank loans for tenant farmers without restrictive conditions. He also called for implementation of the M.S. Swaminathan Commission recommendations, including fixing Minimum Support Price at 50% above production cost.
Leaders urged issuance of tenant farmer ID cards, pensions, and financial support to the families of deceased farmers. A large rally preceded the meeting.
