(a) whether the Government are exploring new strategies to strengthen the foodgrain export
market through a variety of grant/credits, etc;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any team has been sent abroad to find markets and negotiate contractors for this
purpose;
(d) if so, the result of such visits; and
(e) the agreements signed for exports of foodgrains by such teams?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI ASHOK PRADHAN )
(a)&(b): Government has taken various steps to promote export of foodgrains:-
(1) Rice & Wheat are being offered for export from the Central Pool;
(2) Government also proposes to reimburse post delivery expenses permissible within the
framework of WTO requirements;
(3) Exporters have been given the option of selecting stocks from depots of their choice;
(4) An Empowered Standing Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary (F&PD) has been set
up to take expeditious decisions on matters relating to exports;
(5) Prices of wheat & rice offered from the Central Pool for export are fixed for a period
of three months and announced 45 days in advance to facilitate international negotiations for
exports.
(c),(d)&(e): So far no team from the Government has gone to explore export markets and
negotiate for export contracts. However, PSUs engaged in export of foodgrains pursue export
market opportunities regularly.