India urges WTO to allow food grain export from public stock

India yesterday (July 15, 2022) urged the World Trade Organization (WTO) to allow it to export food grains from its public stockholding to countries facing food crisis.

According to WTO norms, countries are not allowed to export food grains from their public stocks as they are procured at subsidised rates.

"WTO restricts that grains so procured (from public stockholdings) cannot be brought to the market to export. It is a condition which exists from the Uruguay Round days. We have repeatedly said that (surplus) what we have for our small farmers...we are quite willing to trade," Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while speaking at a seminar on 'Strengthening global collaboration for tackling food insecurity' on sidelines of the third G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Bali, Indonesia, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

Many countries are facing food shortage because of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

About 70-80 countries, led by Singapore, are pushing WTO member-countries to accept binding commitments of not extending export curbs on the food grains procured under the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

Some members, however, have voiced concerns regarding a blanket exemption for WFP food purchases due to domestic food security considerations.

India, Sitharaman said, can help reduce food insecurity but there is a hesitation on the part of the WTO.

The Indian finance minister highlighted that food, fuel, and fertilizers are global public goods, and ensuring access to these for developing and emerging economies is critical.

The world is going to celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets and since India is a major millet-producing country in the world, it can ensure valuable contribution to food security in the world through millet production, Sitharaman said.