Several industry bodies have asked the government to allow import of corn at a zero per cent duty which is currently being imported at a 15 per cent duty under the tariff rate quota (TRQ) of 450,000 tons.
The bodies have asked the government to allow these imports at reduced rates so as to sustain dependent industries for the next six months till the next crop arrives.
The plea has been put forward by bodies like Solvent Extractors Association of India, National Egg Co-ordination Committee (NECC), All India Starch Manufacturers Association, Poultry Federation of India, Broiler Co-ordination Committee and Poultry Processors Association.
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The organisations have expressed concern about availability for raw material for poultry, livestock and starch sectors.
The sector requires about 122 lakh metric tonnes of corn while availability was about 90 lakh metric tonnes.
Corn production including coarse grains was down by 26 per cent according to the agriculture ministry. Soy meal output was also expected to be lower. Oil seed production was expected to be lower by about 25 per cent.
The associations have asked for import of oilseed at zero or minimum duty to meet market demand.
Since imports will come at a time when domestic production was on the lower side, it was not expected to affect domestic producers.
Oilseed imports at a current 35 per cent was unviable for the industry, the organisations have pointed out. Import of oil seeds would help utilise existing capacity and make available oil meal for ancillary industries.