Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

12-December, 2012 17:36 IST

In view of availability of sufficient stock of rice and wheat in Central Pool far in excess of buffer norms/strategic reserve, at present there is no proposal to import of rice and wheat on Government account.

No import of foodgrains (Rice and Wheat) has taken place during the last three years to meet the Central Pool requirements.

The Government had launched a Centrally sponsored scheme on ‘National Food Security Mission’ (NFSM) from Rabi crop season, 2007-08 which includes NFSM-Rice and NFSM-wheat as major components. The aim of the Mission was to increase production of rice, wheat and pulses and enhance farm level economy to restore confidence of farmers indulging rice, wheat and pulses production. In addition, Government provides financial subsidy to farmers for purchase of various agricultural and horticultural tools and equipments under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana(RKVY), National Horticulture Mission(NHM) and Macro Management of Agriculture(MMA).

Government has also increased the Minimum Support Price for various agricultural products including rice to incentivise the farmers for production of agricultural products. As per the data issued by Department of Agricultural & Cooperation, the production of rice has increased from 96.69 Million MT to 104.32 Million MT (estimated) during the period of 2007-08 to 2011-12. The production of wheat has increased from 78.57 Million MT to 93.9 Million MT (estimated) during the same period.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Commerce & Industry Dr. D. Purandeswari in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

 

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DS/RK

 

No import proposal for rice and wheat as central pool stocks and higher domestic production meet buffer requirements. No import proposal for rice and wheat is indicated because Central Pool stocks exceed buffer norms and strategic reserves, and no imports have occurred in the past three years for Central Pool needs. The Government relies on supply-side measures-National Food Security Mission components, subsidies for agricultural equipment under central schemes, and increased Minimum Support Prices-to boost domestic rice and wheat production, which official data show has risen over the cited period and underpins the decision not to import.