Project title: Emerging Paradigm in Trade Implications on Indian Agriculture and the   Way

                       Forward

Project leader: Dr. Anjani Kumar                            

Project team:     Dr. P. Shinoj

Background:

The multilateral agreements related to tariff and subsidies reduction, sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures etc. have resulted in a quantum shift in the dynamics of trade flows between nations. In this context, the competitiveness of Indian agricultural sector to take part in the global race of trade is under test. The present study is envisaged to derive policies for addressing the challenges faced by Indian agriculture in the light of recent developments in the global trade scenario

Objectives:

1.    To examine the composition and pattern of India’s major agricultural exports and imports in the post reforms period and identify the drivers for changing agricultural trade basket.

2.    To assess the implications of Doha round of negotiations for Indian agriculture and to suggest suitable policy actions.

3.    To assess the effect of food safety measures on trade flow of important agricultural commodities/groups.

4.    To estimate cost of compliance with food safety measures for important agricultural commodities and their implications on competitivenes

Study area: All India

Methodology:

1. Trend analysis and growth rates

2. Regression

3. Detailed synthesis of tariff reduction formulae, Special and Differential treatment (S&D) and special provisions like special products, special safeguard mechanism etc. and the current status of the negotiations.

4. Simulation exercise to understand the implications of the Doha text on agriculture with respect to India’s present applied tariff levels, subsidies and WTO reduction commitments

5. Impact assessment of food safety standards on producers, processors, consumers and  competitiveness of selected agricultural products.

Key findings: New project

Funding agency: NCAP