It seems that the government is not very keen to extend the ban on maize exports, the date for which expires on October 15. Earlier in July the government banned the export of maize.

Speaking on the sidelines of a conference organized by FICCI on Friday, Food and agriculture minister, Sharad Pawar said, “We have to protect the interest of the farmers.”

However, the minister made it very clear that the government will not lift any ban on the export of any other variety of non-basmati rice. Recently the government had allowed the exports of Pusa 1121 variety by partially easing the prohibition on shipments of non-basmati rice.