Shri Sharad Yadav, Minister of Consumer Affairs,
Food and Public Distribution has called upon the exporters of
foodgrains to discharge their responsibility in undertaking exports
in a clean and fair manner and strictly complying with the guidelines
laid down in this regard. They should help the Government in pursuing
a healthy export policy by resolving their problems through interaction
with the High Level Committee constituted for this purpose in
the ministry of Food. Inaugurating a Seminar on "Strategies for
Foodgrain Exports" here today, he urged the exporters to strive
for attaining commanding heights in exports and establishing a
name for Indian wheat and rice in foreign countries. The seminar
was organised jointly by the Food Corporation of India and the
Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
Shri Yadav pointed out the need
for protecting the interests of farmers in general and small farmers
in particular while promoting exports of foodgrains and said export
should be undertaken in the interests of both. During 2000-2001,
India produced 68.76 million tonnes of wheat and 84.87 million
tonnes of rice. According to estimates production of wheat and
rice during 2001-02 is expected to be around 71.47 million tonnes
and 91.61 million tonnes respectively. As on October 1, 2002 the
surplus stock in the central pool is about 35.64 million tonnes
of wheat and 15.77 million tonnes of rice against a butter stock
norm of 11.6 million tonnes of wheat and 6.5 million tonnes of
rice.
The total offtake of foodgrains
by states from the central pool increased from 17.88 million tonnes
during 2000-01 to 31.3 million tonnes during 2001-02. During the
current year, 2002-03 till September 2002. The total offtake of
wheat and rice was 22.34 million tonnes.
During the last two years 60 lakh
tonnes of rice has been lifted for exports to 35 countries and
90 lakh tonnes of wheat has been lifted for exports to 24 countries.
India is already recognised as one of the major exporters of foodgrains
and the export of basmati rice during 2001-02 was about 6.6 lakh
tonnes.
