Shivraj Singh Chouhan Defends Farm Policy, Says No Compromise on Farmers’ Interests Amid Import Concerns

By A Staff Reporter

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has defended the government’s stance on protecting Indian farmers from what he described as unfair competition from large-scale foreign agricultural producers. Speaking in Delhi, he said the country had been apprehensive about the impact of certain imports, particularly those involving genetically modified (GM) crops.

Chouhan contrasted the agricultural conditions abroad with those in India, noting that some foreign farms operate on holdings of 10,000 to 15,000 hectares, while many Indian farmers cultivate between one and three acres, with some having as little as half an acre. He said the disparity in land size, combined with the use of GM seeds and advanced technologies overseas, leads to higher yields and lower production costs abroad.

According to the minister, if such products—like soybean, wheat, maize, and rice—were allowed unrestricted entry into the Indian market, domestic crop prices could fall sharply, putting small-scale farmers at risk. He argued that India’s production costs per hectare are significantly higher, making open competition unsustainable for local cultivators.

Chouhan said the decision to limit such imports was taken to ensure that farmers’ interests remain protected. “No matter what happens,” he added, “there will be no compromise with the interests of the farmer.”