Overview
- The agriculture minister said the interim pact with the United States was finalised after careful review and would not cause losses to India’s farming community.
- He cited pulses, apples and cotton as areas where India may need limited imports, adding that any inflows would be managed to protect domestic producers.
- Responding to political criticism, he rejected Rahul Gandhi’s allegations and dismissed concerns that the agreement could open the door to harmful provisions.
- He contrasted current NDA policies with the UPA era, invoking the Swaminathan MSP formula, sugar buffer stock decisions and edible oil import liberalisation.
- Chouhan unveiled Bharat‑VISTAAR, an AI platform offering mandi prices, weather updates, crop advice, welfare scheme details and loan guidance, initially in Hindi and English.