'Rice'ing fortunes

PREDICTIONS of the Union ministry ofagriculture foresee India as the thirdbiggest rice exporter in the world in thenext financial year after the us andThailand. It is estimated that riceexports will cross the two million tormesmark by March next year. Said BalrarnJakhar, minister for agriculture, "Wehave ensured abundant availability todomestic consumers, and now our goalis to boost foreign exchange earningsand ensure remunerative prices forfarmers."

Indian rice delights many a palate inBangladesh, Middle East, Europe andAfrica. Eight consecutive good upsoons and the liberalisation of expmeant that India exported 900,tonnes of all varieties of rice in 1994Farmers are growing crops specificfor export and are also using tech"to increase the rice yield accorditqagricultural ministry officials.

India's rice glut has come atopportune moment with the intentional market in a fix with floodsThailand leading to lower rice avzbility. Vietnam is seeking to lowerexports which means that India canin its place. Overall, India has showspectacular growth in the agriculturesector with exports increasing to Rs 200billion in 1994-95 front Rs 47 billion1990-91.