This situation was caused by the import of GMO soybeans
On September 10, 2021, India’s Livestock Department authorized the import of genetically modified soybeans.
This decision was made to reduce the price of soybeans, which, in particular, are used for livestock feed.
The costs of poultry farmers have grown so much that some of them were forced to go out of business.
On August 3, soybean prices reached 10,000 rupees per centner.
Permits to import GMO soybeans have brought down prices on the domestic market by almost 50% over the month.
On September 27, the cost of a centner of soybeans dropped to 4,500 rupees.
Indian farmers are outraged by the government’s situation: many of them have switched to growing soybeans in the hope of making good profits.
Household spending has risen significantly due to inflation, and prices for cotton and vegetables, traditionally grown on Indian lands, have remained low over the past 3-4 years.
Farmers are outraged, first of all, by the government’s policy: every time the prices for pulses start to rise, imports are stimulated to suppress the rise in domestic prices.
The permit for the import of genetically modified soybeans came out at the moment when the farmers began to harvest.
And because of the torrential rains, they are forced to try to sell products as quickly as possible, because humidity affects the safety of products.
The indisputable fact is that India’s agriculture is in decline.
Over the past decade, issues of low income for farmers and even suicide have been raised frequently.
Everyone understands that there is a crisis, but this does not help raise incomes.
