Hyderabad: Farmers body opposes agriculture trade deal with USA

Hyderabad: "We will not allow our dairy, poultry and farming sector in general and our peasants' livelihoods to be threatened by American businesses. Indian government cannot be allowed to compromise our farmers' interests and we call upon all farmers across the country to stay vigilant and protest against any deal with the USA," said members of Telangana committee of All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC).

Addressing a press Meet at Hyderabad on Wednesday, the members of AIKSCC Telangana declared its opposition to any trade deal with the USA. The declaration was made in the view of the upcoming India visit of US President Donald Trump on February 24 and 25.

Kirankumar Vissa, National working group member of AIKSCC said, "The small and marginal farmers in Telangana who are dependent on dairy, poultry and growing cotton, maize and soybean, will face higher losses and go into debt if this kind of trade agreement is made."

AIKSCC leaders also pointed out that the Trump government in the US has already unilaterally taken a few key steps which have disadvantaged India, such as removal of Most Favoured Nation status, and removal of India as a beneficiary developing nation under its GSP (Generalized System of Preference) program. Irrespective of the rhetoric of the Indian government, the farmers and workers of India do not consider Trump as a friend of India, and they oppose the red carpet being laid out to the US President and building walls to hide the reality of the common people of India.

The press meet was addressed by Vemulapalli Venkatramayya (All India Kisan Mazdoor Sabha), Kirankumar Vissa (Rythu Swarajya Vedika), T Sagar (Telangana Rythu Sangham) and Prabhulingam (Telangana Rashtra Rythu Sangham).

Other participating leaders included Achutha Ramarao (Akhila Bharata Rythu Coolie Sangham), P Nagi Reddy (Telangana Rythu Coolie Porata Samiti), S Dharmapal (Telangana Raitanga Samiti), V Koteswara Rao, JV Chalapati Rao and KG Ramachander (AIKMS).