Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs,CCEA, is likely to consider tomorrow the proposal to allow export of additional five million tonnes wheat from government godowns to clear surplus stock ahead of arrival of new crop. He was talking to reporters on the sidelines of the Krishi Vighyan Mela in New Delhi this morning. The move is aimed at creating enough space to accommodate new wheat crop, which will be harvested from this month-end.

Earlier addressing the three-day Mela, Mr Pawar asserted that pulses and oilseeds production must be increased to decrease their imports. He asked scientists of Indian Agricultural Research Institute, IARI, and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to develop new varieties of pulses and oilseeds to enhance productivity. The Agriculture Minister said government will provide full assistance to the farmers and scientists in this connection. Talking on drought condition in some states due to delayed and deficient monsoon, he said emphasis must be given to protect marginalized and poor farmers who are having less than two hectare of land so that they can also become economically viable.
Our correspondent reports the Krishi Vighyan Mela will showcase the achievements of IARI, various other institutes, NGO as well as private companies in the Agriculture sector. It will also showcase the Indian agriculture as a remunerative profession with presentation by successful farmers.