The DDA or Doha Round is trade negotiations round among the WTO members which aims to revamp the existing trade regimes by harmonising the trade barriers and revised trade rules. It is majorly targeted at improving the trading prospects of developing countries.
India’s stand:
--- According to the WTO rule, subsidies must not exceed 10% of the value of foodgrains produced and calculated at the base price of 1986-88. This is biggest issues which India is negotiating as it provides huge subsidies to farmers through various
initiatives.
--- Limits on public stockholding to ensure developing countries do not dump their excess cereals at rock bottom prices in the international market is also a contentious issue.
--- Food security is the foundation upon which the UN’s MDG to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger stand; forcing developing countries and Least Developed Countries to agree to anything may compromise their right to food security.
--- Even government support to farmers in developed countries are way ahead of what developing countries can even afford to provide. For example, while India provides about $12 billion farm subsidy to its 500 million farmers, the US provides around $120 billion to its 2 million farmers.
Since India caters large number of people below poverty line, it is important that these issues are amended according to the dynamic needs of developing countries through enhanced market access, balanced rules, and well targeted, sustainably financed technical assistance and capacity-building programmes.
India’s stand:
--- According to the WTO rule, subsidies must not exceed 10% of the value of foodgrains produced and calculated at the base price of 1986-88. This is biggest issues which India is negotiating as it provides huge subsidies to farmers through various
initiatives.
--- Limits on public stockholding to ensure developing countries do not dump their excess cereals at rock bottom prices in the international market is also a contentious issue.
--- Food security is the foundation upon which the UN’s MDG to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger stand; forcing developing countries and Least Developed Countries to agree to anything may compromise their right to food security.
--- Even government support to farmers in developed countries are way ahead of what developing countries can even afford to provide. For example, while India provides about $12 billion farm subsidy to its 500 million farmers, the US provides around $120 billion to its 2 million farmers.
Since India caters large number of people below poverty line, it is important that these issues are amended according to the dynamic needs of developing countries through enhanced market access, balanced rules, and well targeted, sustainably financed technical assistance and capacity-building programmes.
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