New Delhi, February 8, 2026 – Major farmer organizations in India have launched a fierce campaign against the recently announced interim trade agreement framework between India and the United States, describing it as a betrayal of Indian agriculture and a capitulation to American multinational corporations. Leading groups, including the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), have demanded the immediate resignation of Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and urged farmers across the country to join massive protests on February 12, 2026.
The backlash follows a joint statement outlining the interim framework, aimed at strengthening bilateral trade ties. Farmer leaders allege that the deal would expose India’s agricultural sector to unfair competition by allowing cheaper imports of key commodities such as maize, wheat, soybean oil, ethanol, genetically modified foods, and seeds. They claim tariff reductions or eliminations on various US agricultural and food products would flood domestic markets, devastate local producers, undermine livelihoods, and primarily benefit US agribusiness giants at the expense of small and marginal Indian farmers.
In a strongly worded statement, the SKM labeled the framework a “total surrender” of Indian agriculture to foreign interests. They accused the government of compromising national food sovereignty and warned that proceeding with a full agreement could spark resistance on a scale larger than previous farmer agitations. The SKM has called for nationwide demonstrations in villages, including symbolic actions such as burning effigies, and has extended full support to a one-day general strike on February 12 organized by the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions (CTUs) and sectoral federations. This strike targets what protesters describe as anti-farmer and anti-worker policies, including labor codes and trade agreements.
The SKM and allied groups have further demanded that the government release a white paper detailing the full terms of the deal and refrain from signing any comprehensive agreement without broader consultation. They emphasized the need for farmer unity to mount what they predict will be a significant nationwide struggle.
Opposition parties, including Congress and AAP, have echoed these concerns, branding the deal vague, one-sided, and detrimental to Indian interests, particularly in agriculture and dairy.
In response, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has defended the framework, insisting that India’s sensitive sectors—especially agriculture and dairy—remain fully protected. He stated that major US exports such as soybean, corn, meat, and dairy, which could harm Indian farmers, have not been opened to the market. Instead, the deal focuses on deeper exchanges in areas where India faces production shortfalls, while providing zero-duty access for certain Indian products like spices, tea, coffee, cashew nuts, and fruits in the US market. Goyal described the agreement as fair, equitable, and balanced, highlighting benefits for Indian exporters, farmers in specific segments, and micro, small, and medium enterprises.
The protests appear to be gaining momentum, particularly in agriculture-heavy states like Punjab, where demonstrations have already occurred. Farmer leaders have indicated that further meetings are planned to escalate actions if the government does not address their demands. As of February 8, 2026, the situation remains tense, with the February 12 date poised to amplify the impact through coordinated farmer and worker mobilization. The developments underscore ongoing tensions between trade liberalization efforts and protections for India’s vast rural agricultural base.
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