As mentioned earlier, the production of staple food products in developing countries is of vital importance. Any impediment to it, whether in the form of liberalization of import or elimination of government support, should be removed. It is desirable to exclude the staple food production of developing countries from the disciplines of the agreement altogether. It is rational to treat it on the same lines as products related to national security. In a large number of developing countries, agriculture is not always a commercial operation.
Farmers take to it as a means of livelihood in the absence of an alternative.
If there is an integration of the domestic agriculture with the international production and trade, it is likely that a large number of these farmers and their families may lose their source of livelihood. It is necessary to find out ways to insulate these farmers from the adverse consequences of liberalization of agricultural trade and production. There should be some specific provisions in the agreement in this regards. Developing countries should start the preparations for the 1999 review in right earnest. Information should be collected in various countries on the points mentioned above and on other points which may be relevant.