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Expert moots proposal to export six mn ton grain through WFP
India should offer to export upto six million tonnes of foodgrains as part of the UN`s World Food Programme (WFP) efforts to provide assistance to refugees on the Pak-Afghan border, an expert said in New Delhi.
India should offer to export upto six million tonnes of foodgrains as part of the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) efforts to provide assistance to refugees on the Pak-Afghan border, an expert said in New Delhi.
Such an export could help government in reducing the burgeoning foodgrain stocks and address the humanitarian problem of the refugees, former FCI (projects) chief S Vijayraghavan told news persons.
“When US has begun sending wheat all the way from New Orleans to Pak-Afghan border, considering the distances involved India is ideally placed to sell its grains and also serve the humanitarian cause,” He said. Vijayaraghavan said the move would be in line with the government's support in the war against terrorism, adding this must not be in terms of defence logistics alone but instead by making foodgrains available in the conflict zone.
“Upto six million tonnes can easily be sold at subsidised rates to WFP due to excess stocks with FCI, which will have twin benefits of helping serve a laudable objective but also reduce the carrying cost of foodgrains,” He added.
It would be a win-win situation for both as considering the freight costs involved WFP would find it feasible to source its requirements from India. Price of the grains must be worked out taking into account India's own maintenance cost which is Rs 20 crore daily for the additional stocks and the humanitarian needs.
WTO norms on export subsidies would not be a restraining factor since the exercise was aimed at a major refugee problem which has emerged in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the US.
Bureau Report
“When US has begun sending wheat all the way from New Orleans to Pak-Afghan border, considering the distances involved India is ideally placed to sell its grains and also serve the humanitarian cause,” He said. Vijayaraghavan said the move would be in line with the government's support in the war against terrorism, adding this must not be in terms of defence logistics alone but instead by making foodgrains available in the conflict zone.
“Upto six million tonnes can easily be sold at subsidised rates to WFP due to excess stocks with FCI, which will have twin benefits of helping serve a laudable objective but also reduce the carrying cost of foodgrains,” He added.
It would be a win-win situation for both as considering the freight costs involved WFP would find it feasible to source its requirements from India. Price of the grains must be worked out taking into account India's own maintenance cost which is Rs 20 crore daily for the additional stocks and the humanitarian needs.
WTO norms on export subsidies would not be a restraining factor since the exercise was aimed at a major refugee problem which has emerged in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the US.
Bureau Report