New Delhi, July 08: Allaying fears of shortage of
foodgrain, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said that
the country`s granaries are full with stocks which are enough
for the next 13 months.
"We have foodgrain stocks for 13 months," he told
reporters here on the sidelines of a meeting of
Parliamentarians from Maharashtra convened by Chief Minister
Ashok Chavan.
He said the country had over 250 lakh tonnes of wheat
stock and 306 lakh tonne of rice which could last for 13
months.
"We do not have space to store more foodgrains," Pawar
said.
The minister said he had been briefed by the weather
office about good rains across the country in the next few
days which would augur well for farmers.
"We will keep adding to the current stock after the
kharif harvest as also the rabi crop," he said.
Pawar said situation had improved across many parts of
the country after the delayed rainfall and farmers have picked
up sowing for the kharif crop.
Bureau Report