Exports of agri-products to continue despite deficient rains.

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday said it will continue with export of farm items like rice, wheat and sugar even as deficient rains have delayed sowing of some crops.

Southwest monsoon has covered the entire country but rain are still deficient by 23 per cent so far. The slow progess of rains has delayed sowing of major Kharif crops such as paddy, some pulses like moong, oilseeds and coarse cereals. The area under these crops are so far less than last year.

Asked if poor rains will prompt the government to change its decision on export of agricultural commodities, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar replied in negative.

"Over six million tonnes of wheat is under covered and plinth (CAP) and it is better to export," he told reporters after meeting with India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General L S Rathore and Food Minister K V Thomas.

The government has huge stock of foodgrains and there is no problem of availability in the country, he said.

Due to bumper production, the government lifted ban on export of non-basmati rice and wheat in September 2011. Recently, it allowed export of 2 million tonnes of wheat from the government stocks to ease pressure on storage.

Pawar said monsoon, crucial for agriculture, has improved over last ten days but there was still a shortfall and the situation in worrisome in Karnataka and central Maharashtra.

He pointed out that "there is a cause of concern about coarse cereals (bajra, jowar and maize) production and drinking water supply in these two states".

Overall, he noted there is no cause for concern over paddy, cotton, sugarcane and oilseed as sowing operations are expected to pick up.

Source : zeenews.india.com