Zero tariffs, new markets to benefit Indian farmers: Goyal

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday dismissed calls for nationwide protests against the India-US interim trade agreement, saying they were backed by only a "very small, breakaway faction" of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), while most farmers understand the benefits of the deal.

- TDG NETWORK

Speaking to ANI, Goyal said the Centre remained open to dialogue and was willing to meet any farmers' delegations or stakeholders with concerns about the agreement. He stressed that Indian farmers already export agricultural and fishery products worth nearly 5 lakh crore annually, a figure that could double in the coming years with access to new markets.

"I have an open-door policy. If any farm organisation, expert, journalist or individual has misgivings, they should reach out. Most farmers recognise the huge potential and the possibilities of increasing incomes as new markets open up,” Goyal said, adding that Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently met agriculture ministers from nine states, where the India-~EU and India-US agreements were welcomed.

Responding to criticism from farm groups, Goyal alleged that a few political elements were attempting to mislead farmers by distorting facts. He appealed for restraint, saying it was unfortunate to “play with the sentiments of well-meaning farmers”.