Consider the following statements:India is a member of the International Grains Council.A country ne

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Question

Consider the following statements:India is a member of the International Grains Council.A country needs to be a member of the International Grains Council for exporting or importing rice and wheat.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: A — 1 onlyStep-by-step Solution:Statement 1 — India is a member of the International Grains Council: This is correct. India is a member of the International Grains Council (IGC), an intergovernmental body established in 1949 (originally as the International Wheat Council). India joined as an exporting member in July 2003, reflecting its growing status as a major wheat and rice exporter. The IGC operates under the International Grains Agreement (IGA) 1995, which comprises the Grains Trade Convention (GTC) and formerly the Food Aid Convention (FAC). ✓Statement 2 — IGC membership is required for rice/wheat trade: This is incorrect. Membership of the International Grains Council is not a prerequisite for any country to export or import rice, wheat, or any other grain. Global grain trade operates through bilateral agreements, commodity exchanges, and free market mechanisms — not through mandatory IGC membership. Many countries that are active grain traders are not IGC members. The IGC serves as a forum for information-sharing, market analysis, and consultation — not as a regulatory body controlling access to grain markets. ✗Why other options are incorrect:Option B (2 only): Incorrect. Statement 2 is factually wrong — IGC membership is not required for grain trade.Option C (Both 1 and 2): Incorrect. Statement 2 is wrong.Option D (Neither): Incorrect. Statement 1 is correct — India is an IGC member.Key Concept: International Grains Council (IGC): Established 1949 as International Wheat Council; renamed IGC in 1995; Headquartered in London. Mandate: Promote cooperation in international grain trade and food security; Publish market information, supply-and-demand data. Members (two categories): Exporting members (major grain exporters including USA, EU, Argentina, Australia, India, Russia, Ukraine); Importing members (major grain importers). Not a regulatory body — does not control access to grain markets; No price-fixing or market-intervention powers. India as grain exporter: India became a major rice and wheat exporter in 2000s–2020s. However, India periodically restricts grain exports for food security — e.g., ban on white non-basmati rice exports in 2023, and restrictions on wheat exports since 2022. The IGC's Grain Market Report is a key reference for global agricultural market analysis.

Consider the following statements:India is a member of the International Grains Council.A country needs to be a member of the International Grains Council for exporting or importing rice and wheat.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements:India is a member of the International Grains Council.A country needs to be a member of the International Grains Council for exporting or importing rice and wheat.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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