Q.1 How would you describe the market potential for the processing of Pulse-based products and the opportunities for Pulse processing at a micro food processing level?

Pulses are a rich source of proteins and nutrients. Due to the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, pulses contribute towards a sustainable food production system. Pulses contribute about 10.50% of the total protein intake in the Indian diet as per the 68th Sample Survey 2011-12. Pulses are an integral component of the Indian food palate. India is the largest producer of pulses in the world with a share of 33% of the world’s area and about 22% of the world’s total pulse production. Further, India is also the largest consumer and importer of pulses in the world. The requirement of pulses for domestic consumption in the country is projected to be 32 million tonnes by 2030 and 39 million tonnes by the year 2050. Further, about a dozen varieties of pulses are produced and consumed in the country with a wide diversity in the regional preferences for the type of pulses and their use in regional cuisine.

The sheer volume of demand for pulses for domestic consumption in the country and the diversity therein for consumption along with the integration of different market functions along the value chain of pulses, offer immense market opportunities. Further, the changing pattern of increased demand of the urban population towards vegetarian food has also widened the scope for entrepreneurial activities related to pulses.

Pulse milling is the third largest food processing industry after flour and rice milling. Dehusking and splitting is an essential process as pulses are mostly consumed in the form of dal in agro-processing industries.The urbanization of processing industries has impacted the rural economy, as raw materials are typically purchased at lower prices, while the end products are sold at higher prices. In this value chain, actors are associated with forwarding the pulses from farm to table including the pulse producer, wholesalers, processors, retailers and consumers. Establishing micro pulse processing units in the rural production hubs offers multidimensional benefits in terms of additional income and employment opportunities to rural entrepreneurs, and better prices for the consumers due to low transportation costs, ultimately contributing to the strengthening of the rural economy.

Q.2 Could you please tell us about the support and facilities provided by ICAR- Indian Institute of Pulses Research to micro food processing enterprises?

The Institute has developed several pulse-processing types of machinery for supporting agro-processing at the micro level. In this regard, mini dal mills developed by IIPR, Kanpur have found acceptance in different pockets of the country. Further, various other machineries such as Dal Chakki, Multi-purpose Grinder, Pigeon Pea Stripper, Suction Winnower, Horizontal Hand Chakki, and Vertical Hand Chakki have also been developed by the Institute. The technology for developing value-added products from pulse milling by-products is also commercially available. The Agri-Business Incubator Centre (ABIC) based at ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur offers incubation support in the identified five domains including pulse processing & value addition. ABIC provides a range of support services like technology mentoring, networking opportunities, access to state-of-the-art laboratories, office space and development of forward and backward linkages for business promotion. ABIC offers a mechanism for entrepreneurs to have direct interaction and receive technical guidance from ABIC mentors, who are scientists specialized in various domains of pulses. ABIC offers two types of incubation support:

• On-campus (on-site) Incubation: The incubate is offered office space, access to laboratories for pilot production, experimentation, and access to mentors and equipment.
• Off-campus (off-site) Incubation: The incubate receives incubation support at his/her production site.

Q.3 What are your thoughts on the scope of value addition in pulse processing?

Indian diets are a good combination of all essential amino acids. Proteins present in cereals and pulses are complementary to each other. Pulses contain 20-25 percent protein by their weight. Dal-Roti, Dal-Chawal, Idali-Sambhar, etc., indicate a traditional understanding of nutritional security. Pulses are an important component of the Indian diet, with a lot of diversity in taste and usage, value addition is a traditional way in the country. A wide variety of pulses are produced and consumed in the country that offer immense value-addition opportunities in primary, secondary and tertiary processing. ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur has developed several technologies related to the value addition of pulses. These include utilizing separate fractions of milling by-products to create pulse-based products and home recipes that are rich in fiber and protein. The technologies also focus on popular food items, enhancing their nutritional value.

Q.4 With the immense experience that you have gathered over the period, how do you think the PMFME Scheme would be able to empower micro-food processing enterprises?

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, has taken a commendable step with this initiative to address the challenges faced by the unorganized sector comprising of micro-enterprises and to tap the potential of groups and cooperatives for supporting the upgradation of these enterprises. PMFME Scheme's comprehensive support package includes financial support, training & capacity building support, support to FPOs, SHGs and Producers Cooperatives along their entire value chain, registration of the enterprise under regulatory framework & compliances, and marketing support. This will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the agro-processing landscape of the country.

Q.5 What would be your advice to aspiring food processing entrepreneurs?

The food processing sector is the fifth-largest industry in terms of production, consumption, exports and potential growth. The food processing industry has the potential to add value to farm output, create alternate employment opportunities, improve exports and strengthen the domestic supply chain. Agro-processing offers a wide spectrum of market opportunities for the consumption of ready-to-eat products. Processed food is more convenient, has a longer shelf life, and can be transported to remote places easily, thus making it more accessible and a good source of nourishment. In these modern times, changing food habits and lifestyles are creating a vast demand for processed food among consumers. The on-shelf commercially available technological options in food processing are immense and need to be transformed into business ventures. In this regard, the current positive policy environment provides the desired encouragement for food processing entrepreneurs in the country. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, PM Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises Scheme, and the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry are some of the major initiatives taken by the government for the promotion of food processing industries. Along similar lines, the Agri-Business Incubation Center, ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur is also committed to supporting entrepreneurs to establish successful agri-business ventures on pulse processing, pulse value addition, pulse seed production, bio-fertilizer production, and bio-pesticide production. Pulse processing and value addition present promising business opportunities especially for the youth in the rural areas, offering a path to increased income and economic growth.

About the guest

Dr. Girish Prasad Dixit is an eminent agricultural scientist with about 32 years of experience in pulses research. Dr. Dixit completed B.Sc.(Ag.) in 1987; M.Sc.(Genetics & Plant Breeding) in 1989 and Ph.D. in 1993 from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. He joined ICAR as an ARS Scientist (Plant Breeding) on August 05, 1991 and later on posted at the Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur on January 14, 1992. As a scientist, he has made outstanding contribution to the genetic improvement of different pulse crops. He has developed 25 high-yielding varieties of pulses. In the past, Dr. Dixit also has acted as Project Coordinators of AICRP on MULLaRP (group of minor pulses) for two years and AICRP on Linseed for two years. He also executed successfully several externally funded projects on pulses. Prior to his present designation as Director, ICAR – Indian Institute of Pulses Research, he led the National Chickpea Programme in the country as the Project Coordinator for about eight years focusing on integrated breeding approaches for improving yield potential, improved tolerance to stresses, market-preferred grain traits, suitability to machine harvesting and modernization of programs through digitalization.