Leaders of different agricultural forums will convene in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss the fresh WTO proposals on agriculture and the stand India needs to take to protect livelihood of poor farmers, in the backdrop of soaring global food prices.

Over 25 farm leaders from across the country will deliberate the proposals circulated by the multilateral trade body on cut in agricultural subsidies and industrial tariffs.

The forum would later submit its views to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

"The WTO text comes at a time when the world is faced with its worst ever food crisis and, ignoring the real causes behind the unprecedented rise in global food prices, the effort is to push for more trade liberalisation, which may lead to worsening of the food crisis," a release said.

India has rejected the May 19 agriculture text under the Doha Round of trade talks, stating that it does not address the livelihood concerns of poor farmers in developing nations.

The text proposed less number of products which India and other developing countries can protect from unrestricted imports from the agro exporting countries like the US, Canada and Australia.

Besides evaluating the implications of the text on the livelihood of millions of farmers, farm workers and marginalised section of the society, the leaders, who represent 'the grassroot voices as also the voice of majority India' would discuss the country's food security situation.

The day-long consultation, being organised by the Forum for Biotechnology and Food Security and UNCTAD-India, would bring together farm leaders as well as representatives of fishermen, forest dwellers, adivasis, dalits and women.