GS3 · 10 marks · 150 words

The objective of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to provide a long term and equitable solution to the dilemma between free trade and food security has remained unfulfilled. Comment.

Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2023

Food Security and PDSSubsidies and MSPTrade and Foreign Investment

Syllabus: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.

How toppers approached it

From all 5 answers · about 180 words.

Opening

  • A definition60%
  • No separate opening20%
  • A restatement20%

Body

  • Points80%
  • Points and prose20%

Close

  • A way forward80%
  • A summary20%

The toppers’ answers

Kunal RastogiAIR 15 · CSE 2023 · 189 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a definition

WTO is an international multilateral organisation formed under Marrakesh Treaty after Uruguay round (1995) to ensure smooth, open & predictable global trade.

Body · points

Free trade food Security dilemma

  1. Developed country wants to reduce the Amber box subsidy (trade distortion) and urge developing country to open markets.
  2. Developing & LDC country want enhanced subsidy, public stockholding to ensure income & food security of farmers.

WTO: Solution remains unfulfilled

  1. Bali Peace Clause of 5% & 10% subsidy limits are alleged to be too low by developing country.

  2. Nairobi declaration of public stockholding for developing country is merely on paper.

  3. The dysfunctional dispute resolution mechanism creates new challenges.

  4. Doha developmental agenda regarding SPS measures & nontariff barrier by developed country is still not removed.

Progress towards Solution

  1. 12th Ministerial conference created -> temporary waiver for public stockholding and extension of Bali Peace clause -> freedom of food to World Food Programme -> Commitment to restart the Doha agenda with Cornwall Consensus
  • People
  • Planet
  • Profit

Close · a framework

Above spirit must be continued to ensure harmonious balance between trade and food security to achieve SDG-2 (Zero Hunger).

More on Food Security and PDS

The Public Distribution System, buffer stocks, the National Food Security Act, hunger and nutrition as a distribution problem.

All GS3 questions on Food Security and PDS