Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, Finance Minister, on Friday announced that India will import food to make up for shortages caused due to the drought, supposed to be affecting 700 million people. But he did not define what would be imported and when.

The drought is impacting nearly half of the districts in India. Food costs have grown by 10% after inadequate monsoon rains in most parts of the country. For Indian farmers in most states, monsoon rains are vital.

Finance Minister also added that whichever commodity will be in short supply, would be imported to hike domestic stock.

Details of the imports were not being brought out. While according to the reports, lentils, edible oils and other staples might be among the commodities to be imported.

The summer rains are essential to crops like sugarcane, soybean, cotton and rice.

Mr. Sharad Pawar, Farm Minister, informed that the government would take respective measures to assure that costs stayed stable.

Approximately, 70% Indians are dependent on incomes from farm, and around 60% of India's farms depend on rains.