(a) whether bumper wheat crop in the country and increased supply from various other coun- tries have pulled down the global prices and affected Indian exports and the farmers;
(b) if so, whether the Government proposes to procure more wheat as compared to the previous years at the Minimum Support Price to safeguard the interest of the farmers; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAMVILAS PASWAN)
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO.298 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 17TH MARCH, 2015 IN THE LOK SABHA
(a): The estimated global wheat production during 2013-14 is 713 million tons as compared to 655 million tons in 2012-13, while India produced 95.85 million tons during 2013-14 against 93.51 million tons in 2012-13. The global prices of wheat have shown a downward trend during the current year. However, wheat exports from India are 2.5 million tons of wheat till January, 2015 in the current financial year on private account against a total quantity of 2.9 million tons exported during the year 2013-14.
(b)&(c): Government procures wheat offered by farmers under the Price Support Scheme at Mini- mum Support Price(MSP). However, the farmers have the option to sell their produce to Gove- rnment at MSP or in the open market as may be advantageous to them. This policy is continuing.