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Monsoon delay not to hit exports: Govt
June 10, 2003 14:30 IST
The government on Tuesday said the week-long delay in the monsoon will in no way affect India's overall food and agriculture scenario and assured continuity in the country's grain export policy.
"Even though monsoon arrived a week late, it will not have any impact on kharif production. The pattern of rice and oilseeds sowing will be normal," Food Minister Sharad Yadav told PTI.
He said exports of wheat and rice will also continue as the country has enough foodstocks, and there will be no monsoon inspired change in grain trade policy.
If at all there is some effect on production due to delayed monsoon, it will be made up by the "toil and sweat" of the farmers, Agriculture Minister Rajnath Singh added.
He said a week is too small a period to have a large impact on overall output and export.
The weathermen have said the delay in monsoon should not be linked to its overall performance, which can swing either way.
Monsoon's arrival on the southern coast on June 8 against the expected June 1 is not likely to affect its overall performance, deputy director general, Indian Meteorology Department, S K Subramanian, pointed out.
In India, agriculture accounts for approximately 33 per cent of the GDP and employs nearly 62 per cent of the population. It accounts for 8.56 per cent of India's exports.
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