Indian has sought the cooperation of African countries on the food stock holding limit issue at the world Trade Organisation-WTO meeting next month in Geneva. Speaking at the interactive session with the Heads of Regional Economic Communities, RECs from Africa in New Delhi, Commerce Secretary, Rajeev Kher said that India’s stand at the WTO deliberations on the Trade Facilitation Agreement was endorsed by the G-33 and other countries in the world. He pointed out that there were 21 countries in the world who use public stock-holding for food security purposes and many more countries are expected to resort to the same in the future.
The government recently refused to ratify the Trade Facilitation Agreement in WTO, saying that it will not compromise on the interest of poor farmers and consumers. Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said that India sought complete resolution of the food grain stockpile issue, which is essential for unhindered implementation of the country's food security programme.