HAPUR, Aug 26, 2003 (Asia Pulse) — In what may translate into a large captive market for Indian wheat, Sudan has expressed its willingness to import 3,000,000 tonnes of the commodity spread over a mutually decided period of time, and high level discussions have been held on the issue.

A Sudanese delegation comprising Assistant General Manager for Planning and Policies Sirri Ibrahim Mohammed Ibrahim and El Tayeb Aziz, Director Marketing and Procurement in the country’s Strategic Reserves Authority (SRA) is on a visit to India.

"Sudan is keen to purchase wheat from us. Modalities in terms of sourcing, pricing and periodicity can be mutually arrived at. It also wants to garner from India’s experience in grain procurement, storage and distribution", official sources said.

They said the delegation was deeply impressed with the facilities available here at the Indian Grain Management Research Institute (IGMRI) and an FCI silo, which they visited.

Since India has now established a permanent place in the international grains market and is expected to clear a backlog of 5,000,000 tonne contracts in the next few months, an agreement with the Sudanese will reinforce the country’s position in the global wheat trade, they added.

Sources said the Indian embassy in Sudan has already done the necessary spadework to generate interest in that country’s SRA to purchase wheat from India on a regular basis.

Having seen the progress made in scientific research and development in the storage and handling of grains here, the delegation also showed eagerness to sponsor its officials for long term training courses at the IGMRI.