Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Feb 17: Expressing serious concern over the proposed Indo-USA trade deal, JKPCC Kissan Department Chairman Bharat Priye has warned that the agreement, in its present form, could have far-reaching negative consequences for India’s agrarian economy and severely impact the fragile economic structure of Jammu & Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference at Samba in presence of Darshan Lal Sharma, Chairman JKPCC Kissan Department district Samba, Gulzar Singh Choudhary Vice Chairman JKPCC Kissan Department, Kuldeep Singh Choudhary, Mangal Singh Sindhu and others Bharat Priye launched a sharp critique on the proposed Indo-USA trade deal, terming it a serious threat to India’s agrarian economy and the fragile economic ecosystem of Jammu & Kashmir. He stated that while global trade partnerships may open new avenues, any agreement that compromises farmers’ interests, small businesses, and local industries would prove disastrous for the country.
“Economic diplomacy must strengthen our villages and rural economy, not weaken them,” he asserted.
Bharat warned that the agriculture sector would bear the brunt if heavily subsidized agricultural products from the United States are allowed entry into Indian markets without strict safeguards. He explained that American farmers benefit from large-scale mechanization, massive subsidies, and advanced infrastructure, whereas Indian farmers continue to struggle with rising fertilizer costs, unpredictable weather, and limited MSP coverage. In such a scenario, local producers would find it impossible to compete with cheaper imports, leading to falling prices and shrinking incomes.
Focusing specifically on Jammu & Kashmir, he highlighted the potential negative impact on Kashmir’s world-renowned horticulture produce, including apples, pears, almonds, walnuts, cherries, and saffron. He cautioned that imported fruits and dry fruits could flood markets, pushing down prices of local produce and directly affecting lakhs of orchardists and farmers in the Valley.
He underlined the risks to dairy, poultry, and food processing sectors in the region. He stated that multinational corporations could dominate the processed food market if import barriers are reduced, leaving small cooperatives and local entrepreneurs unable to compete.
JKPCC vice president Yahpal Kundal, while endorsing the concerns raised at the press conference, stated that Jammu & Kashmir’s economy, which is still striving for stability and growth, cannot afford exposure to unequal trade competition.
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