India-US trade deal won't have adverse impact on farmers: Jakhar
The Punjab BJP chief said every farmer acknowledges that agriculture is not highly profitable occupation
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar on Wednesday asserted that the India-US interim trade agreement will not have any adverse impact on farmers, and will instead benefit industry and trade while creating new employment opportunities for the youth.
He invited farmer organisations for dialogue, stating that if they see any shortcomings in the trade agreement, they should choose the path of discussion rather than agitation.
The BJP state president emphasised that crops grown in Punjab, such as wheat, paddy, maize, and sugarcane, have been kept outside the scope of the agreement and will not affect farmers in any way.
Jakhar said that every farmer acknowledges that agriculture is not a highly profitable occupation. While it sustains families, it does not generate enough income to fulfil their children's aspirations, he said here.
"Every family wants their children to find employment beyond farming. However, this will only be possible if new industries are established and trade expands," he noted.
Jakhar said this deal is a step in that direction, as it will give India's industry and trade access to the USD 30 trillion US economy.
As industry and trade grow, new employment opportunities will be created for the youth, said Jakhar, who was accompanied by the BJP's Mohali district unit president Sanjiv Vashisht.
The BJP president appealed to farmer groups to clearly state what impact they believe the deal will have on Punjab's farmers.
He further said that while the US president is speaking about making America great again, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the current global circumstances, has successfully pursued the policy of making India great while safeguarding national interests through this agreement, for which he deserves appreciation.
