FOODGRAINS
EXPORT CROSSES 150 LAKH TONNES
As on September 13, 2003, the Food Corporation
of India has received payment for 151.86 lakh tonnes of wheat
and rice for purpose of export. This comprises 84,20482 tonnes
of wheat and 67,66,289 tonnes of rice. Already 134.88 lakh tonnes
of foodgrains comprising 82,11,460 tonnes of wheat and 52,76,672
tonnes of rice has been lifted for export. India has now emerged
as the second largest exporter of rice and the sixth largest exporter
of wheat in the world and is expected to be the largest exporter
of rice during the current year. So far foreign exchange worth
more than Rs. 6656 crore (approx.) has been earned through export
of foodgrains from the central pool and the country is poised
to be a regular exporter of wheat and rice.
According to Shri Sharad Yadav,
Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution there
has been a spurt in the export of wheat and rice in recent months
and since July 2002 alone the exporters have deposited money with
Food Corporation of India for purchasing 24 lakh tonnes of rice
and 15 lakh tonnes of wheat for the purpose of export.
Wheat is being exported to 23
countries from India including Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Kuwait,
Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea,
Sri Lanka, Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, UAE, Vietnam and Yemen. Rice
exports are mainly to 33 countries including Bahrain, Bangladesh,
Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia,
Mozambique, Nigeria, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapure, Somalia,
South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzaina, UAE and Yemen.
Government has initiated several
promotional measures to boost export of foodgrains from the central
pool. Quantitative Restriction (QRs) on export of rice, wheat
and wheat products have been removed subject to the condition
that stocks in the central pool would not be lower than 243 lakh
MTs (143 lakh MTs of wheat and 100 lakh MTs of rice) at any point
of time. An Empowered Standing Committee has been set up to take
expeditious decision on matters relating to export of foodgrains
regularly. Transporters are also being allowed WTO compatible
post-delivery expenses and inland transport expenses for promoting
exports.
As on August 2002 the central
pool has 201.25 lakh tonnes of rice and 396.58 lakh tonnes of
wheat.
