INDIA’S government vowed to railroad through new farming laws opening the sector to global agribusiness today, despite huge protests that have surrounded the capital for months and spread across the country.

In parliament Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar made no new offer to resume stalled talks with the farmers and said the reforms were essential to raise private-sector investment in agriculture.

He also defended the controversial legalisation of private stockpiling of food supplies, saying it would be profitable for farmers.