Will work for changes in WTO provisions: Ajit Singh

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 23. The new Union Agriculture Minister, Mr. Ajit Singh, today expressed his intention to work for changes in the provisions of the WTO agreement on agriculture to bring about a level-playing field between the developed and developing nations.

``Efforts have to be made for bringing about changes in many provisions of the WTO relating to agriculture in order to make them more equitable as the present structure is heavily tilted in favour of the developed world,'' Mr. Singh said at a press conference soon after assuming office.

Developed countries have been allowed to have higher import tariffs and internal and export subsidies on agricultural products to the disadvantage of countries like India. Opinion of other developing countries would be mobilised to put up a joint front at the WTO fora, he added. A major issue, he said, was the subsidy permissible under WTO. The subsidy provided to the farm sector in the Unites States in 1998, for instance, was greater than even the total value of Indian agriculture produce.

The Agriculture Ministry, he said, would also focus more on managing the farm surplus through upgraded marketing, better credit facilities, setting up proper infrastructure and larger investments.

The focus of marketing should be diversified to include not only traditional crops but also flowers, fruits and seeds, he said, adding refrigerated trucks, better roads and infrastructure could increase returns by as much as 20 per cent.

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