US lawmakers with interests in agriculture back farmers

New Delhi: A section of US lawmakers with interests in the agriculture sector has voiced support for the ongoing farmers’ agitation in India. These Congressmen belong to both Republican and Democrat camps.

“Punjabi farmers must be allowed to protest peacefully against their government without fear of violence,” said Doug LaMalfa, a Republican lawmaker who represents Californian’s first Congressional district.

“I stand in solidarity with Punjabi farmers in India protesting for their livelihoods and protection from misguided, manipulative government regulations,” Congressman Doug LaMalfa said on Monday.


LaMalfa is a fourth generation rice farmer from California. He owns Dsl Lamalfa Family Partnership, which manages the family’s rice farm. “India is the world's largest democracy —they owe it to their citizens to allow peaceful protest. I encourage these folks and PM Modi to have peaceful, productive discussions,” Democratic Congressman Josh Harder said.

Harder, one of the youngest Congressmen in the US, also maintains links with the agriculture sector. He is a member of two sub-committees under the Committee on Agriculture in the US Congress.