Jaipur: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said the India-US interim trade deal was finalised after careful consideration, with the government ensuring that no decision harms the farming community.
Speaking at a programme here, the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said, “I am speaking with full responsibility as the Agriculture Minister of India. In the trade agreement, we have taken
complete care of the interests of Indian farmers. There will be no losses for India’s farming community,” he said.
On imports, Chouhan said the country has to bring in the things it needs.
“We are not self-sufficient when it comes to pulses even today. If something that we need comes from another country, what is the objection?” he asked.
Similarly, he said, India imports around 5.5 lakh metric tonnes of apples.
“They come from countries like Turkey and Iran. If one lakh metric tonnes (of apple) come from the United States, after ensuring that it does not affect our farmers, what is the problem?” he asked.
On cotton, he said the textile industry faces shortages.
“When cotton production falls short, we have to import,” the minister said.
Without taking any names, Chouhan also accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of levelling false allegations daily.
“There is one leader who is a part-time politician and a full-time dramatist. He neither understands trade nor tradition. Those who have never seen villages and farms are making allegations every day,” he claimed.
The Union minister also asked why the erstwhile UPA government refused to implement the Swaminathan Committee report, which recommended fixing the minimum support price (MSP) at 50 per cent above the cost of production.
“The UPA government filed an affidavit saying that it (fixing MSP) would distort the market. It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who decided that MSP will be given at 50 per cent above production cost,” he said.
