Indo-US trade could adversely impact J&K agriculture: Bharat Priye

• Flags risks to local farmers, calls for region-specific safeguards and policy intervention

ANANTNAG: Raising serious concerns over the implications of Indo-US trade arrangements on the agrarian economy of Jammu and Kashmir, Chairman of the Kissan Congress Bharat Priye on Tuesday cautioned that such agreements could expose local farmers to economic vulnerability and market instability. He was addressing a well-attended Kissan Congress meeting at Khannabal in Anantnag, organised by District Kissan Congress President Mohd Abdullah Bhat and his team.

Directly contesting the claims made by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan that Indo-US trade would have no adverse impact, Bharat Priye asserted that the ground realities in J&KUT are vastly different from other regions of the country. He argued that the entry of cheaper, subsidised agricultural imports could severely affect local produce, particularly horticulture, which forms the backbone of the region’s rural economy.

Elaborating further, he pointed out that J&K’s farmers largely depend on small landholdings and traditional farming practices, making them less competitive in a liberalised trade environment. “When global markets open without adequate safeguards, local farmers are pushed into price competition with large-scale international producers. This can lead to falling returns for crops like apples, saffron, and other high-value produce unique to the region,” he said.

Bharat Priye also highlighted that J&K farmers already face multiple structural challenges, including high transportation costs, lack of cold storage facilities, limited access to modern technology, and vulnerability to climate change. He warned that any additional pressure from international trade without protective mechanisms could destabilise the already fragile agrarian sector.

He stressed the need for a comprehensive, region-specific policy framework that prioritises the interests of farmers in sensitive areas like Jammu and Kashmir. “Before entering into any major trade agreement, the government must consult stakeholders at the grassroots level and ensure that adequate safeguards, subsidies, and market protections are put in place,” he added.

The Kissan Congress leader also called for strengthening local agricultural infrastructure, including better storage, processing units, and market linkages, to enhance the competitiveness of J&K produce. He urged the government to ensure fair minimum support prices and introduce insurance and compensation mechanisms to protect farmers from market shocks.

Among those present on the occasion were District Congress President Anantnag Farooq Ahmed Bhat, former General Secretary Shaheen Needa, Danish Khan of the Pahari Cell, Khalid Muzzafar Dar, Gul Mohammad, President Congress Seva Dal, and a large number of farmers who actively participated in the discussion.

The meeting concluded with a collective demand for safeguarding the interests of farmers and ensuring that international trade policies do not come at the cost of local livelihoods. Participants resolved to continue raising these issues at various forums to secure a sustainable and farmer-friendly agricultural framework for Jammu and Kashmir.