Farm unions mobilise massive grassroots campaign against trade agreements

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the coalition of farmers' unions that spearheaded the 2020-21 agricultural protests, is escalating its opposition to India's trade liberalisation agenda. The movement plans to mobilise one million 'swayamsevaks'—volunteer activists—to conduct a nationwide campaign against free trade agreements (FTAs) signed by the government.

SKM leadership has already initiated sustained engagement with the political establishment, conducting meetings with more than 100 Ministers, Members of Parliament, and Members of Legislative Assemblies across various states. During these delegations, union representatives have presented a comprehensive charter of demands centred on the cancellation of all existing bilateral and multilateral FTAs.

The unions argue that trade agreements expose Indian agriculture to unfair international competition and threaten the livelihoods of millions of farmers. The grassroots mobilisation strategy represents an attempt to build political pressure on federal and state governments to reconsider their trade policy direction.

This initiative reflects the continuing influence of farm groups in Indian politics following their successful campaign that forced the government to repeal three contentious agricultural reform laws in 2021. The SKM's expanded organisational push suggests the movement is preparing for a prolonged campaign on trade issues ahead of potential parliamentary debates on proposed FTAs.