New Delhi: Admitting that India was facing severe problems in its World Trade Organisation (WTO) discussions in the farm sector, Agriculture Minister Ajit Singh on October 24 appealed for a political consensus even while assuring protection of farmers' interests at all costs.

"Our farmers may have lower level of technology but they can beat anyone in the world," Singh said while demanding a level-playing field in the new WTO agreement on agriculture which would have to be completed before January 1, 2005.

The minister, who was addressing the meeting of Agriculture Ministers of states/Union territories to work out a strategy for renegotiation of WTO agreement on agriculture, said the state governments will be fully consulted on the issue.

Stating that it was not possible for India now to wriggle out of the WTO, Singh said even those nations who were not a member of the organisation were trying hard to gain entry due to its various advantages.

"There has to be a political will to ensure our negotiators go about with their job smoothly," he said.

The minister said the developed countries will have to reduce their export subsidies to enable nations like India to compete in the global market.

He said India's problem is not due to its subsidies which are lower than the stipulations but that of funds.

Stating that India should not be deprived of the WTO advantages as a result of resource problems, the minister expressed concern over increase in farm subsidies in the developed countries due to political and other considerations.

PTI