Bathinda: The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called for nationwide protests on Wednesday to oppose proposed free trade agreements with the US, UK, European Union, and New Zealand.In an open letter to President Droupadi Murmu, the umbrella body of farm unions urged the administration to halt negotiations and present all trade terms to Parliament.Farmer unions warned that removing import tariffs on agricultural products, dairy, and processed foods would expose India’s smallholder farmers to unequal competition from highly subsidized foreign producers.“These trade deals threaten to flood domestic markets with low-cost agricultural goods, forcing down crop prices and undermining rural livelihoods,” the SKM said in a statement released on Tuesday.The SKM highlighted structural disparities between domestic and foreign agricultural sectors, noting that while the average Indian farm covers 2.67 acres, the average American farm spans 469 acres and receives significantly higher state subsidies.Farm leaders expressed concern that concessions on vegetable oils, meat, dairy, and processed goods would disproportionately harm India’s agricultural workforce, which accounts for 48% of the national total.The SKM instructed local chapters to hold village meetings and burn effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 22, signalling the start of a sustained campaign against international trade concessions.
