December 29, 2018
Bangla Govt ties up with IIT Kharagpur for pulse-processing machines
To enable the processing of pulses, or dal, the State Government has tied up with IIT Kharagpur. Under the tie-up, scientists from the university will be building pulse-processing machines.
The machines would be distributed by the government to the mills processing pulses. Building of new mills would also be encouraged through policy.
To spread out risks and to further improve the fortunes of farmers, the government is promoting the cultivation of crops other than the staple paddy. Pulses form an important component of this plan.
Pulses have a lot of potential, according to a senior official of the Agriculture Department. However, a major hindrance is the lack of machines and centres for the processing of pulses, like de-skinning and breaking.
Hence, said the official, the government has formed a venture with IIT Kharagpur for building processing machines.
Already, in Purba Bardhaman district, the land under cultivation of various pulses has increased from 12,000 hectares in 2016 to 20,000 hectares currently.
Source: Sangbad Pratidin
