A group of rice farmers in the Asean region said Tuesday it is seeking to exempt rice from the region's free trade program.

The East Asia Rice Working Group, a coalition of rice farming groups, said that liberalizing rice in the region puts the livelihood of many small farmers at risk.

"Rice is a very important agricultural commodity in most developing countries in Asia where 90% of the commodity is produced and consumed," the group said in a statement.

"Exempting rice from further tariff reduction as prescribed in the special products mechanism of the World Trade Organization would help millions of rice farmers in the region who are unfairly competing with uncontrolled rice importation."