High import duties; resisting pressure to open agricultural sector important to ensure India's food security: GTRI

India needs to uphold high import tariffs on sensitive items to preserve self-sufficiency & ensure food security.

Maintaining high import duties on sensitive agricultural commodities like rice and resisting pressure to open up the domestic sector to low tariffs will be crucial for preserving India's self-sufficiency and ensuring food security for its population, a report said on January 1.

Economic think tank GTRI (Global Trade Research Initiative) in its report said that India needs to cut its reliance on imported vegetable oils to promote better health outcomes and also reduce the import bill.

This will need educating consumers about the health benefits of using locally produced oils like mustard, groundnut, and rice bran in lieu of imported oils.

India is the world's largest importer of vegetable oils, with imports estimated to double to $20.8 billion in 2023-24 from $10.8 billion in 2017-18.

It added that the U.S. and E.U. currently support agriculture by using the latest technology to maximise output, high tariffs (or import duties) to discourage imports and massive subsidies to push exports.

Developed and agricultural-exporting countries like Australia always push developing countries like India to cut duties and subsidies on agricultural commodities to push their exports.

India has built a high import tariff wall (30-100% on sensitive items) to check subsided imports. India also does not cut tariffs on sensitive items for even its FTA (free trade agreement) partners.