India’s MP State To Export 1.98 lakh Metric Tonnes Of Wheat To Iran

New Delhi, Aug 25, IRNA -- About two lakh metric tonnes of wheat procured in Madhya Pradesh during rabi season 2012-13 will be exported to Iran. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has selected wheat stored in eight districts of state under the first phase, when 1,98,368 metric tonnes of it would be exported to Iran, pti reported quoting an official release issued in Bhopal, capital of the state, said on Friday. The selected districts are - Hoshangabad, Sehore, Vidisha, Harda, Gwalior, Bhopal, Jabalpur and Ujjain. The state government has directed concerned officers of the districts to coordinate with FCI and warehousing agencies to ensure proper upkeep of wheat meant for export. Earlier, in the month of June, two-member Iranian delegation had visited here for a week. After their field visit, they had taken samples to their country to finalize the quality issues. Suspecting a fungal disease, Iran in 1996 had banned Indian wheat. The Persian Gulf nation had suspected that Indian wheat was infested with 'Karnal bunt' -- a fungal disease. Karnal bunt was first reported in 1931 from Karnal, Haryana. The disease primarily spreads via contaminated seeds. According to reports, India's wheat stocks at government warehouses on August 1, 2012 were 47.5 million tonnes, more than three times the official target of 17.1 million tonnes for the quarter ending September./end