A coalition of farmers’ organisations announced State-wide protests on July 22, 2026, against the proposed India-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA). They alleged that the pact would adversely affect Indian agriculture, depress crop prices, and threaten farmers’ livelihoods.
At a meeting in Vijayawada on Tuesday (July 14), representatives of various farmers’ bodies resolved to organise demonstrations at district and mandal headquarters across the State. They also announced plans to burn effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump as part of the protests.
Addressing the media, Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham leader Y. Keshava Rao alleged that the proposed agreement would expose Indian farmers to unfair competition from imported agricultural products and further reduce domestic crop prices. He urged the Union government not to sign any trade pact that could adversely affect the agricultural sector.
Andhra Pradesh Tenant Farmers’ Association State general secretary P. Jamalaiah alleged that farmers cultivating Totapuri mangoes, tobacco, tomatoes, cashew, and shrimp were already facing severe financial distress due to falling prices. He accused the Central and State governments of failing to protect farmers’ interests and alleged that policies were favouring corporate companies over cultivators.
Mr. Jamalaiah also criticised the State government’s handling of shrimp feed prices and alleged that directions to procure Totapuri mangoes at ₹12 per kg had not been effectively implemented. He sought immediate measures to support farmers facing the ongoing agrarian crisis.
The organisations said they would collect signatures opposing the proposed agreement and send memoranda to the President of India before July 21. They appealed to farmers across the State to participate in the July 22 demonstrations.
Published – July 14, 2026 11:05 pm IST
