WAYANAD, India – In a fiery speech to thousands of farmers, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the central government of buckling under American pressure, ready to sacrifice Indian farmers’ interests for trade deals.
Addressing a massive rally at Karshaka Sangamam in Peravoor, Kannur district, Gandhi positioned agriculture as the backbone of India’s economy. He warned that allowing highly mechanized US agribusinesses into Indian markets would devastate small and marginal farmers who form the majority of the sector.
“If we force our small farmers to compete with giant machine-run farms from America, our entire economy will crumble,” Gandhi declared. He linked the issue to broader government priorities, criticizing policies that favor big corporations over rural livelihoods.
Drawing from his experience as former MP of Wayanad, Gandhi highlighted the ongoing human-wildlife conflict in the hilly terrains. “This is a livelihood crisis needing urgent policy action, scientific interventions, and immediate safety nets for affected families,” he stressed.
With Kerala assembly elections looming, Gandhi urged farmers to shape the UDF manifesto. He promised a future government acting as a service provider, not a distant authority. Key pledges included hiking Minimum Support Prices (MSP), expanding cold chain storage, and swift financial aid during crop failures or market slumps.
Gandhi framed the debate as a battle for India’s food security. “The coming months will decide if policies serve big players or the millions of small farmers sustaining our nation,” he concluded, rallying the crowd against what he called a sell-out to foreign interests.