INDIA BANS ALL EXPORTS OF NON-BASMATI RICE

By P.Vijian

NEW DELHI, July 25 (Bernama) -- Unable to predict the erratic monsoon, India
has decided to ban all exports of non-basmati rice to ensure there is enough
supply for its domestic market.

"We are going to stop it. We will take the financial burden," Food and
Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar told Parliament.

He also said that wheat exports of about two million metric tonnes would be
stopped as a contingency plan towards safeguarding food security of the country.

Shortage of food grains was not imminent in the domestic market at the
moment as there were sufficient stocks for the next 13 months, he added.

Pawar said monsoon this year had been weak and erratic which had affected
sowing of crops in states like Assam, Haryana, Bihar and Punjab -- the major
agriculture producers in the north.

India is world's second largest rice exporter after Thailand with annual
exports of about four million metric tonnes. It is also a major rice-consuming
nation.

Last April, India banned exports of non-basmati rice to curb the spiralling
food prices at home but continued limited exports via diplomatic channels.

-- BERNAMA