India Plans "Mission" To Boost Output Of Wheat, Pulses, Rice

May 15,2007 00:00 by dailynews

India plans to set up a mission to boost output of wheat, pulses and rice, Deputy Planning Commission Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said Monday. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who is also chairman of the Planning Commission.

India already has several technological missions that focus on increasing area, yield and production of specific crops. One such mission on oilseeds and pulses has failed to make a dent in the domestic shortfall.

India is one of the world's largest importer of wheat, pulses and edible oils by volume. The surge in Indian inflation in recent months is partly attributed to the rise in local and global prices of these commodities.