Hubballi, Aug. 23 -- Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday said the Centre was taking several measures, including temporary imports of raw sugar, to address concerns over sugar availability and rising retail prices ahead of the festival season.

Joshi said sugar production had declined due to red rot disease and El Nino conditions, affecting agricultural output in India and globally.

Speaking to the media, Joshi said, "Because of the red rot disease, which was very unexpected, and El Nino, overall agricultural production, including sugar, has come down not only in India but globally...we are very concerned about it, which is why we have immediately taken several measures. India's requirement is around 280 lakh tonnes, and as of today......