New Delhi: India is preparing to import more than 100, 000 tonnes of rice from Myanmar over next several months to feed its people of North-east region.
India has been forced to import rice because of disruption in Rail network in the north-east region due to which freight movement has been severely affected.
The government is finding it difficult to supply rice to the north-east region because of disruption in Rail network.
To solve the problem, the government has decided import rice from Myanmar that will be distributed to the northeast region through Bangladesh's Ashuganj port, according to government officials.
India is one of the largest exporters of rice in the world. For the first time in last 25 years, the country is under compulsion to import rice in such large quantity.
Rail freight is being disrupted due to the ongoing track overhaul that has made freight movement difficult.
The imports and the distribution arrangement underscore the extensive challenges India faces as it tries to become a regional agricultural powerhouse. But the quantities are too small to shake up the rice market.
The broadening of the railway gauge will start in October and is likely to be completed by April 2015. The states of Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, and parts of Assam, which normally receive their grain supplies from north India will be affected the most.
