Massive Protest Of Farmer Unions Over US-India Trade Deal On February 12

Last Updated:February 08, 2026, 18:38 IST

Samyukta Kisan Morchal slammed the India–US trade agreement, warning of mass protests and demanding Piyush Goyal's resignation over threats to Indian agriculture and dairy sectors.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) on Friday strongly criticised the proposed interim India–US trade agreement framework, calling it a “total surrender" of Indian agriculture to American multinational corporations and demanding the immediate resignation of Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.

In a statement, the farmers’ group said the framework contradicted repeated government assurances that agriculture and dairy sectors would remain outside the scope of free trade agreements. It warned of “mass pan-India struggles" if the pact is finalised.

The SKM (Non-Political) said it would soon convene a meeting to finalise plans for large-scale demonstrations. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said that while the commerce minister has publicly maintained that agriculture and dairy would be protected, the joint India–US statement suggests that India has agreed to discuss and address non-tariff barriers affecting American agricultural and food products.

According to Dallewal, opening Indian markets to US farm goods would result in significant losses for domestic farmers and further destabilise rural livelihoods.

Echoing these concerns, All India Kisan Sabha leader Krishna Prasad said the agreement could adversely impact both the agriculture and dairy sectors by allowing imports of products such as dried distillers’ grains, red sorghum for animal feed and soybean oil.

Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait urged farmers to participate in a nationwide strike scheduled for February 12, saying villagers were increasingly questioning how the proposed deal would affect farm incomes and rural economies.

Farmer unions have also appealed to political parties, trade unions and mass organisations to join the strike, which is being organised by the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and sectoral federations to protest labour codes and trade agreements.

The protests come after India and the United States announced a framework for an interim trade agreement aimed at boosting bilateral trade through tariff reductions on multiple goods.

Under the proposed arrangement, Washington is expected to lower duties on Indian exports, while New Delhi may cut or eliminate tariffs on a range of US industrial and agricultural products. Farmer groups argue that such moves could expose Indian markets to cheaper imports and place additional pressure on already stressed farm incomes.

News india Massive Protest Of Farmer Unions Over US-India Trade Deal On February 12

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