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India would supply rice to Senegal for 6 yrs

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Agence France-Presse Dakar (Senegal)

Senegal has been hit by protests against rising prices of staples such as rice, amid a global food crisis which has sparked fears of malnutrition and political unrest in developing countries.

"India had said: 'I won't make any more rice exports but that has nothing to do with what the head of state (Abdoulaye Wade) obtained from the Indian premier," said Soumare, quoted by local media.

 

Despite India restricting exports to premium long grain basmati rice on April one, President Wade said a week ago that he received New Delhi's assurance of a supply of 600,000 tonnes annually for the next six years.

"I have received a message from India's prime minister (Manmohan Singh), following my request for rice supply to meet the full needs of national consumption," Wade said on national television.

"Having consulted with his government, he told me that India will supply all Senegal's rice requirements, in other words 600,000 tonnes annually for six years."India is the world's third largest rice exporter.

Wade added that the six-year timeframe would allow Senegal to develop rice cultivation in a bid for self-sufficiency, adding that the country's population should show "a bit of patience" ahead of stocks arriving.

Certain newspapers queried Wade's announcement, while several members of the opposition also voiced skepticism.

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First Published: May 01 2008 | 2:19 PM IST

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