Trade pact set to give rural economy a boost

The landmark free trade deal reached by India and EU is expected to boost shipments of key agricultural produce, especially seafood, from India, while still protecting the country’s politically sensitive dairy, cereals and poultry businesses, analysts say.

- Zia Haq

Unlike the US, which has insisted India open up its agriculture sector to American produce, such as corn and soybean, a sticking point, India has managed to keep its dairy, cereals and poultry businesses out of the deal with the EU to protect millions of small farmers.