Indias Food Security and Prospects for Future Regulatory Reforms: Unlocking Doha Development Rounds Deadlock

Abstract

Currently, India is one of the forefront leaders in the developing world and its sphere of influence has grown rapidly granting them the position as one of the key dominant players in the international arena. The delay of Doha Development Rounds is a symptom of Indias food insecurity and their reluctance to open agricultural markets. India claims that accepting the international subsidy levels for domestic farmers will jeopardize the protection of their agricultural industry. In order for the Doha Development Rounds to see any progression from its current standstill, one must get to the core of Indias food security issues. Through the progression of laws, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) created a gateway for multinational corporations such as Monsanto to introduce Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) technology to produce greater quality and quantity yields. There is anticipation that this newly found technology can revert vital issues such as food deprivation and the costs of severe malnutrition by further commercializing Bt food crops. However, although Bt cotton is the only current commercialized GM crop, it has brought along controversies that have segregated two distinct positions regarding biotechnologys place within Indias agricultural sector. By tackling the core problem, which is Indias food deprivation from its very roots stemming from corruption, lack of irrigation systems, and ineffective distribution, it can mend such issues as GM crop failures, Bt moratorium, and farmer suicides. This eventually leads back to efforts towards forward movements in the Doha negotiation.

Therefore, based on the stagnancy in the Doha Rounds, this paper presents recommendations to Indias food security plans and ways to counter the very central issues that is affecting all 160-member states in settling and mitigating an actual settlement towards world trade. Without tackling the inner layers of food insecurity, the outer outcomes will not foresee change. In other words, without accounting the causes, the consequences cannot be amended. Thus, issues in Indias targeted public distribution system, irrigation system, farmer educational programs as well as Monsantos customer perception must be resolved to see any formidable changes in tackling food insecurity and Dohas deadlock. India has come too far along in biotechnology and its involvement within the international community to go back. The only way is to utilize what they have and move forward towards achieving food security once and for all, which will in effect progress decisions in the Doha Development Rounds to conclusively finalize unsettled international trade negotiations.

Keywords: Doha Development Round, India, Biotechnology, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), Food Security