Union Agriculture Ministry has dismissed as factually incorrect an ASSOCHAM report which says that wheat production in the country, this year, is likely to decline by 15 million tonnes compared to last year. Quoting second advance estimates of food grain production, the Ministry said, wheat production in the country is estimated at 93.82 million tonnes. <br/><br/>It said, untimely rain and hailstorm in some parts of the country have caused some damage but as per present assessment, the production would be in the range of 92 to 93 million tonnes which is substantially higher than 86.53 million wheat production last year.<br/><br/>In a statement, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said, during the last one year, international price of wheat has been subdued and to protect the interests of farmers, the Centre has imposed 25 per cent import duty on wheat. He said, the incorrect information being publicized at this juncture seems to compel the government to reduce import duty on wheat. <br/><br/>The Minister said, lower import duty on wheat would lead to a fall in wheat price in the domestic market and loss to farmers. He said, the government is keeping a close watch on prices, particularly of food items, and will make all efforts to keep food prices under control.<br/>