Pawar rules out bonus for wheat, sees output at 75 MT
The domestic demand for wheat in southern states such as TN and Kerala is rising. The rural areas are also demanding more wheat.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday said it is not considering any proposal for a bonus over and above the minimum support price (MSP) of wheat, even as it expressed confidence that production of the foodgrain would reach 75 million tonnes (MT) this season.
There is no proposal to declare a bonus on wheat MSP of Rs 1,000 a quintal, agriculture minister Sharad Pawar told reporters here on the sidelines of the National Development Council meeting.
Although Mr Pawar expressed confidence that wheat production would be about 75 MT in 2007-08, he said there would be a slight fall in output in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The country produced 74.89 MT wheat in 2006-07.
The government on Tuesday said the targeted production would be achieved “if the current weather conditions continue favourably as required by the wheat crop” after a high level meeting chaired by agriculture secretary PK Mishra.
Replying to a question on the need for more wheat imports, Mr Pawar said: “I can’t say whether more imports are required.”
The agriculture minister also said the domestic demand for wheat in southern states such as Tamil Nadu and Kerala is rising. The rural areas are also demanding more wheat, he added.
“The domestic soyabean crop this year is good. Besides, coconut oil prices in the southern states have come down,” Mr Pawar said.
There is no proposal to declare a bonus on wheat MSP of Rs 1,000 a quintal, agriculture minister Sharad Pawar told reporters here on the sidelines of the National Development Council meeting.
Although Mr Pawar expressed confidence that wheat production would be about 75 MT in 2007-08, he said there would be a slight fall in output in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The country produced 74.89 MT wheat in 2006-07.
The government on Tuesday said the targeted production would be achieved “if the current weather conditions continue favourably as required by the wheat crop” after a high level meeting chaired by agriculture secretary PK Mishra.
Replying to a question on the need for more wheat imports, Mr Pawar said: “I can’t say whether more imports are required.”
The agriculture minister also said the domestic demand for wheat in southern states such as Tamil Nadu and Kerala is rising. The rural areas are also demanding more wheat, he added.
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Commenting on international outlook, Mr Pawar said global wheat output is likely to be good in 2008. “However, wheat prices are going to be high for next 10 years,” he said, adding that food crops are being diverted for biofuel.The minister also ruled out immediate duty cut on imported edible oils like palm oil and soyabean oil.“The domestic soyabean crop this year is good. Besides, coconut oil prices in the southern states have come down,” Mr Pawar said.
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