Rome: In a scathing attack on the developed countries, India today (Dec 2, 2003) said they had not taken into account the interests of farmers of the poor nations and distorted the entire agri-pricing structure of the world.

The only option available to developing countries like India to protect its small farmers from distorted global market was to provide adequate tariff protection, Agriculture Minister Rajnath Singh said.

"It is a matter of great concern. Cognizance has so far not been taken of the interests of farmers from developing countries particularly the small land-holders and such omission does not augur well for the future of sustainable agriculture on our planet," he said addressing the 32nd conference of the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

Singh expressed disappointment at the outcome of the WTO (World Trade Organisation) Ministerial conclave in Cancun this year.

He said if the current WTO negotiations aim to establish a fair agriculture trading regime, there must be "substantial and real" reduction in all trade-distorting domestic support in the developed countries.

In addition, there should be a genuine special and differential treatment for the developing countries to address their special concerns, he added.

He lamented that the international prices of almost all agricultural commodities are distorted due to huge domestic support and export subsidies provided by the developed world to their agriculture.

PTI