The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Agriculture is one of the most significant global trade agreements of the last few decades. It was signed in 1994 as part of the Uruguay Round of negotiations, which aimed to reduce trade barriers and liberalise trade in agriculture.

The agreement was created to promote fair and open trade in agriculture, while also protecting the rights of farmers and consumers. Its primary goals were to reduce the use of subsidies, increase market access, and improve food security around the world.

One of the main benefits of the agreement is that it helps to level the playing field for farmers in developing countries. Prior to the agreement, developed countries were heavily subsidising their agriculture industries, which made it difficult for developing countries to compete on a global scale. The WTO Agreement on Agriculture helped to reduce these subsidies, making it easier for farmers in developing countries to enter the global market.

Another significant benefit of the agreement is that it helps to improve food security in developing countries. By reducing trade barriers and increasing market access, farmers in developing countries are better able to produce and sell their crops. This, in turn, helps to improve local food supplies and reduce hunger.

Despite its many benefits, the WTO Agreement on Agriculture has faced criticism in recent years. Some argue that the agreement has not gone far enough in reducing subsidies, particularly in developed countries. Others argue that the agreement has resulted in the exploitation of farmers in developing countries, who are forced to compete on a global scale with larger, better-funded farms.

Despite these criticisms, the WTO Agreement on Agriculture remains an important tool for promoting fair and open trade in agriculture around the world. By reducing subsidies, increasing market access, and improving food security, the agreement has helped to create a more level playing field for farmers in developing countries while ensuring that consumers have access to a diverse range of high-quality agricultural products.