No resumption of non-basmati export
The government has turned down requests from state governments and private exporters to resume export of non-basmati rice, despite a bumper crop in 2010, in the wake of the proposed National Food Security Act.
“Requests were received from the governments of Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh for export of non-basmati rice. Private rice millers and exporters too wanted the same. The requests were considered but not acceded to,” said minister of state for food and agriculture K.V. Thomas in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
However, the minister said that India will allow export of certain quantities of rice for humanitarian aid to some countries. Sources said the government had to put on hold the export of non-basmati rice, despite a bumper kharif crop of 114.63 million tonnes expected in 2010, as the proposed NFSA will present a jump in demand of food grains to be distributed among the beneficiaries.
The government had banned export of non-basmati in April 2008 in order to stabilise prices in the domestic market and maintain sufficient stocks to ensure food security in the country. According to the first advance estimates, the food grains production is estimated to be up by six per cent over 2009 from 103.84 million tonnes as per the fourth advance estimates for kharif 2009 to 114.63 million tonnes in 2010.
Production of rice, the main crop in the kharif season, is estimated to be 80.4 million tonnes in 2010 against 75.9 million tonnes in 2009.
Officials said India’s buffer stock position is comfortable. According to government estimates it may increase up to 27 mt by the end of the current fiscal against the norm of 14 mt due to improved production, which is the result of a good monsoon year.
The minister clarified that in view of higher procurement in 2009 as well as in 2010, the stocks available in the central pool are sufficient to meet the requirement of the current TPDS.
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