Opt for primary processing of pulses to enhance income: PAU Experts

Ludhiana, May 3, 2016: The experts of Processing and Food Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) have urged the farmers and the rural youth to opt for primary processing of pulses to enhance their income. According to Dr A.K. Singh, Head, Processing and Food Engineering, providing value addition to the agricultural produce is an important factor to usher in rural prosperity. Post-harvest processing either primary or final helps in reducing the losses and adding value to the produce, he observed.

An expert, Dr Tarsem Chand said, “Efforts are being made to diversify the agriculture in Punjab, mainly due to the depleting water table and pollution caused by the wheat – paddy rotation.” Plans have been initiated to cut down the area under paddy crop and raise the area under cultivation of maize, pulses and cotton, he told. Out of the total area under pulses, the major part is under summer moong, he said.

Dr Sajeev Rattan Sharma, another expert, said processing can be done in two ways including primary processing (drying, cleaning, grading and packaging) and secondary processing (dehusking, splitting and polishing etc.). As far as primary processing is concerned, the farmer can do it at the farm itself without gaining much technical knowledge, he told.

Another PAU expert, Dr M.S. Alam said, “By investing an amount of approximately Rs 50,000, farmers can easily enhance their income through primary processing of pulses.”