Bulging stocks prompt govt to double wheat import duty

The Centre’s decision to double the import duty on wheat to 20 per cent just before the rabi planting season is not only meant to shore up prices and send a positive signal to farmers to boost planting, but is also reflective of comfortable carryover stocks in government godowns.

Sowing of wheat in the 2017-18 rabi season till last Friday has been around 25 per cent less than the area covered during the same period last year and almost 60 per cent less than the usual acreage during this time of the year. Acreage of mustard, the other big rabi