Shri S.S. Barnala, Union Minister of Food and Consumer Affairs, Fertilizers and Chemicals reiterated India's concern over giving patent for Basmati rice to an American company. Addressing the International Grains Council Conference `98 inaugurated at London today, the minister said that giving patent to the `novel' basmati variety developed by Rice Tec which could be grown in America was a classic case of economic hijack. Since India offered a unique diversity and richness in food products, there is virtually a world wide scrample to patent anything that is part of the Indian food chain, the minister said and urged the IGC members to give serious thoughts to its implications.

    Shri Barnala said that India had a clear blue print for the food economy in the form of a National Agenda of Governance which sought to ensure food security for all, create a hunger free India and to improve the Public Distribution System so as to serve the poorest of the poor in rural areas. The Government, he said was determined to increase foodgrain production in line with the National Agenda; which would require massive investment in  food sector. India will also resort to import of wheat to tide over temporary shortages if any,and hence would be an active player in the international grain market as an importer or exporter. Government of India has also given thrust to attempts to improve the system of trade and economic cooperation through expanded global system on trade in the National Agenda for Governance, Shri Barnala said.

    Referring to world food trade, the minister said that major changes were likely to be seen in the markets since some countries had decided to lift trade barriers and pursue the path of liberalisation. Increased demand for imports due to opening up of markets together with reduction in domestic production incentives might push up the world price of foodgrains especially rice, the minister said. He also invited appropriate international cooperation in modernising foodgrains handling system in India to minimise product loss.

    The annual conference of IGC which is generally held in June every year provides an International Forum for information sharing among member countries. It is a high level forum where senior private sector representatives and policy-makers of the Government discuss tropical issues affecting the global grains industry.