Export As A Part of Economic Diplomacy
In the current financial year, India will export approx 1 Million Tonnes of food grain, waiving curbs on exports. India will export around 1.05 million tonnes of food grains to Nepal, Indonesia, Senegal and Gambia as part of its economic diplomacy.
Previously, India banned wheat and broken rice exports and imposed a 20% export duty on non-basmati rice varieties last year to keep prices down. However, a ban on broken rice was revoked recently under certain conditions.
External Affairs Ministry Has Requested Food Security
The Department of Food and Public Distribution has allowed exports of wheat and rice on request by the external affairs ministry to provide food security on the global stage. Though there is a low wheat stock, it will export 300k Tonnes of wheat to Nepal. Broken rice export would be; 200k Tones to Indonesia, 500k Tonnes to Senegal, and 50k Tonnes to Gambia.
Wheat Production Is Less But Will Meet The Demand
Heat in February and Rains in March & April have reduced wheat production. But, As per government officials, the amount procured so far will be enough to meet the wheat requirement for the public distribution system (PDS). The Food Corp of India (FCI) so far has procured over 26 MT of wheat in the 2023-24 (October-March) rabi marketing year against a target of 34.5 MT. After ensuring 18.5 MT for PDS, there will be 8.7 MT available in the central pool, which will be more than sufficient for the open market sale scheme if required.
Foodgrains Have Been Provided To Some Countries As Humanitarian Aid
In the past two years, food grains have been provided to some countries as humanitarian aid on the recommendation of the Ministry of External Affairs by DGFT.
Last year, until 22 June of FY23, India shipped 1.8 MT wheat, including 33k Tonnes to Afghanistan (instead of 50k Tonnes as committed) as part of humanitarian assistance, said then Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey. India also exported food grains to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Israel, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE, Vietnam and Yemen during the last financial year.