Submitted by Rajandra Jadhav
Mumbai (Reuters). US President Donald Trump on Thursday after a long negotiation that has been overwhelmed by access to the India -demanding agricultural sector, which the new Delhi promised to protect.
Why does India contradict the products to which the US lobby?
The United States presses India to open its markets for a variety of American products, including milk poultry, corn, soybeans, rice, wheat, ethanol, fruits and nuts. While India wants to provide greater access to our dry fruits and apples, it adheres to corn, soybeans, wheat and dairy products.
The main reason for this resistance is that most US corn and soybeans are genetically modified (GM) and India prevents GM foods from importing.
GM crops in India are widely perceived as harmful to human health and the environment, and several groups associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are contrary to their introduction. The commercial cultivation of high -fertile GM mustard, created by India itself, is currently not allowed due to the ongoing legal struggle.
Like GM crops, dairy products are also a very sensitive problem as it provides a livelihood for millions of farmers, including many that are landless or small population. The dairy industry helps to maintain farmers even during the malfunction of the monsoon, which can lead to major crop fluctuations.
In India, where a large part of the population is vegetarian, the choice of food is greatly influenced by the cultural and nutritional provisions. Indian consumers are particularly concerned that cattle in the US are often fed with animal by -products – practice contrary to Indian food habits.
Why is agricultural imports politically accused?
India is self -contained in most farm goods except vegetable oils. After liberalization of cooking oil import more than three decades ago, the country now has to import nearly two -thirds of its supply to satisfy the demand. India does not want to repeat this mistake with other basic foods that make up almost half of its consumer price index.
Although agriculture accounts for only 16% of the Indian economy of nearly $ 3.9 trillion, it is vital to almost half of the country’s 1.4 billion people. Four years ago, this powerful voting block forced the Modi government to retreat rarely due to controversial economic laws.
Some of the authorities fear that cheaper US imports will reduce local prices and pass the opposition parties to strengthen their attack on the government. New Delhi is also worried that a trade agreement with the US can also force it to open its agricultural sector for other countries.