The government’s recent decision to allow the export of 25 lakh tonnes (LT) of wheat, after a gap of nearly four years, along with an additional 5 LT of wheat products, is said to be a decisive and farmer-centric step to stabilise domestic markets and ensure remunerative returns to producers.

The government has further claimed that this calibrated decision has been taken after a comprehensive assessment of the current availability and price scenario. Some time ago, stock limits on processors, traders, retailers and value chain participants were lifted.

Good policy, questionable timing

In reality, allowing wheat export is a good policy with bad timing. Bad timing because weather risks are looming. Even as the upcoming wheat crop is in the process of maturing and gradually readying for harvest in the next few weeks, rising day temperatures (well above the crop-friendly 21–22 degrees Celsius) across many states in northern India may escalate risks to harvest size.

To make matters worse, the........

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