May 8, 2007                 

India may import 5 million tonnes of wheat this year

India, the world's second-largest producer of wheat, could import 3 to 5 million tonnes of the grain this year to boost its bumper stock to meet a possible supply gap.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said the procurement is to fill any deficit in any state or in other exigencies.

Pawar said the buffer stock situation in the current year was comfortable as it had exceeded the stipulated 4 million tonnes by 0.5 million tonnes.