India prepared to deal with UG-99 wheat disease: Expert

Indore, Mar 12 (UNI) India is prepared to deal with the menace of UG-99 stem rust disease plaguing Uganda in Africa.

Indore-based Wheat Research Institute Director Heeranand Pandey said India need not be afraid of UG-99 disease because its resistant wheat variety 'Durum' is present in agricultural farms in the country.

Foreign scientists had warned that the disease could travel from Africa to India via Europe.

He said the chances of the wheat stem rust disease spreading to central India was more due to suitable temperature. However, he added, that the disease may never reach the country.

UNI AA-PS 1258