Sunil Kumar has sought measures to insulate farmers from the crippling impact of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Pact with Asia-Pacific countries will put much pressure on farmers, Minister writes to Centre. The trade pacts had unleashed a vicious circle of sizeable imports, low prices, low productivity, high cost of production, low demand and unremunerative prices. Expressing deep concern over the Centre’s move to widen trade ties with Asia-Pacific countries, the Kerala government has sought proactive measures to curb liberal imports of agricultural products and ensure the livelihood security of domestic farmers. The memorandum points out that the lowering of trade barriers under the WTO agreements and various FTAs had impoverished farmers and exposed Kerala’s economy to new threats.

Source: The Hindu July 31, 2016 02:26 UTC