Trade talks are two way, Amul chief reassures farmers
In an NDTV interview, Amul MD Jayan Mehta said the agreement protects farmers and gives strong access to the US market.
The India US trade deal has caused worry among many farmers across the country. They fear that cheaper American products may enter India and make their lives harder. Many believe local produce could struggle to compete. These concerns have been loud, especially in farming communities.
But the dairy sector is not fully convinced by these fears. Leaders in the industry say the deal may not hurt farmers as much as people think. In fact, some believe it could help them in the long run.
In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Amul Managing Director Jayan Mehta spoke about these concerns. He said the agreement has strong safeguards for farmers and the agriculture sector. He also said the deal opens doors that were earlier closed.
Mr. Mehta said market access is a key part of any trade deal. He explained that trade talks are never one sided. Both countries give something and gain something. According to him, this deal follows that basic idea.
He told NDTV that the talks were needed to get wider market access. That goal, he said, has been achieved. Indian products will now get better entry into the US market. This includes products linked to farming and dairy.
Mr. Mehta also spoke about tariffs. He said the drop in tariffs from 50 percent to 18 percent is a big change. This will make Indian goods more competitive abroad. It can help Indian producers sell more and grow stronger over time.
He added that this could lead to a better future for people linked to the sector. This includes farmers, workers, and small suppliers. He believes access to global markets brings new chances.
Talking about dairy, Mr. Mehta said cattle feed is one of the most important parts of the industry. Without good feed, milk quality and output suffer. This is why Amul pays close attention to it.
He shared details about Amul’s scale to explain his point. Amul works with around 36 lakh farmers. These farmers are spread across 18,600 villages in Gujarat. Every day, Amul collects and handles about 350 lakh litres of milk.
Cattle feed is a big part of that system. Mr. Mehta said good quality feed needs many farm based ingredients. These include de oiled rice bran, maize, rapeseed extractions, and molasses. Each ingredient plays a role in animal health.
De oiled rice bran comes from paddy husk after oil is taken out. Maize and rapeseed also come from Indian farms. All these are already available in the country.
At Amul, there are about eight plants that make cattle feed. Together, they produce close to 12,000 tonnes every day. This shows how large and organised the operation is.
Mr. Mehta said India is not planning to import items that have little use. He gave the example of DDGS, which stands for Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles. It is sometimes used in cattle feed.
He said only a small amount of DDGS can be used in feed. Usually, it cannot be more than 3 to 4 percent. Using more than that is not practical or useful.
India already has plenty of DDGS, he said. This is because the country has started making ethanol from maize. Ethanol production creates DDGS as a by product. So there is no shortage.
Because of this, Mr. Mehta said there is no real benefit in importing DDGS under the trade deal. It does not make economic sense. Indian producers already have what they need.
He stressed that fears should be based on facts, not assumptions. Each sector works differently. What may hurt one area may not affect another in the same way.
According to him, the dairy sector is well placed. Strong farmer networks, local supply chains, and careful planning protect it. Trade deals, he said, should be seen as tools, not threats.
While farmer concerns are real and deserve respect, Mr. Mehta believes this deal is not a danger to dairy farmers. Instead, he sees it as a chance to grow, adapt, and reach new markets.