India to import food amid drought

India will import food to make up for shortages caused by a drought thought to be affecting 700 million people, the finance minister has said.

The minister, Pranab Mukherjee, did not specify what would be imported and when, saying he wanted to avoid speculation on prices.

The drought is affecting almost half of India’s districts.

Food prices have risen by 10% after poor monsoon rains hit sowing. Monsoon rains are critical to India’s farmers.

…He added: “[The] situation is grim, not just for the crop sowing and the crop health but also for sustaining animal health, providing drinking water, livelihood and food, particularly for the small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.”

BBC