Deputy Minister of Agriculture: Farmers have stockpiled 3 million tonnes of wheat due to inadequate purchase prices in the past crop year.

Abbas Keshavarz in an executive interview with Radio and TV correspondent added: in the past year, 14 million tonnes of wheat was produced and it was one of the most suitable years of production. However the guaranteed purchase conditions prevented the reluctant farmers from selling their products, and 3 million tonnes of wheat remain in storage.

“These farmers are awaiting the new year to sell their crops at a reasonable price,” He said.

Keshavarz noted: For the coming year the weather forecast for autumn and winter will be favourable for the country and it is expected to produce more than 14 million tonnes of wheat this year.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture noted: of course wheat will be fully marketed if the purchase price is economical to wheat producers.

Referring to discussions over the last few months about the scale of wheat blight Keshavarz said: the magnitude of wheat blight has been exaggerated, and the 10% blight is not approved by the Ministry of Agriculture.