Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticised Rahul Gandhi and the Indian National Congress for opposing imports under the US trade deal, saying pulses, cotton and apples are being sourced only to meet domestic shortages. (a file photo)
| Photo Credit:
PTI
Continuing his attack on the Congress party for opposing the US trade deal, union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday wondered why it has been opposing import of pulses cotton and apples if those are needed in the country. He also alleged that there were some decisions when Congress was in power to allow import of same commodity at higher rate and export at lower rate.
No Farmer Loss
Addressing a gathering in Jaipur after launching the new farmers helpline under Bharat-VISTAAR scheme, Chouhan sharply criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleging that the Opposition’s narrative on the trade deal with the US as fake.
“Whatever we produce like wheat, rice, or maize will not come (from the US). This has been specifically decided so that Indian farmers do not face any loss. But those products which we need, we have to buy from outside…we all know that in case of pulses we are not self sufficient today – consumption is higher than production. It is required to be imported to meet demand. Whatever product we require (to import) why there is objection if it comes from any country,” Chouhan said.
Apples, Cotton
Further, he also mentioned about apples and cotton and defended the decision of the government to allow concession to the US.
Pointing out that India currently imports 5.50 lakh tonnes of apples per year, mainly from Turkey and Iran, he said: “if 1 lakh tonnes come from America, what will we lose? Why order from Turkey, who opposed us during Operation Sindoor, let’s order from America.” Instead of one country if imported from another country, how does that matter, he said and added that it was also decided to have a very small quota with a (minimum) import price of ₹80 per kg and 25 per cent duty. “By the time it reaches Jaipur, it will sell at ₹150 per kg. So, what loss is there to our apples?” he asked.
Soybean, Maize
Stressing that these decisions (on farm products) have been made very thoughtfully, Chouhan also said no concession has been given on soybean and maize.
Dairy Shield
Alleging that when Congress party was in power, the doors for import were open, he said the government has decided that milk, ghee, curd, paneer, or any dairy product will not be allowed on Indian soil from outside so that Indian milk-producing farmers never face a loss.
Cotton Demand
Regarding cotton, he said, the domestic production is falling short of the cotton industry’s demand. Cotton is not being grown as much here, so that industry has to order cotton from outside, and then clothes are made from them and those are exported to our foreign countries, so people in our factories are getting employment, getting work.
US Fact Sheet
Recently, the White House had revised its fact sheet on the interim trade deal with India in which it removed “certain pulses” from a list of products on which it said India would eliminate or reduce tariffs. It also changed the term “committed” to “intends” on the purchase of over $500 billion US products, in that the term “agriculture” was omitted from the list of items.
Sugar, Wheat Row
Chouhan also asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to respond as to why the government in 2026-07 did not create a buffer stock of sugar and allowed it to be exported. Also without mentioning the year, he alleged that during Congress period, sugar was imported at Rs 36 per kg and exported at Rs 12.50/kg. Similarly, he alleged that in 2009-10, wheat was exported at Rs 12.51/kg when atta rate in India was Rs 20/kg. The minister also blamed the then government under P V Narasimha Rao alleging that it had put edible oil import under open general licence (OGL) in 1993-94, ending India’s self sufficiency.
Published on February 17, 2026
