Post Harvest Profile of Bengal Gram

P R E F A C E

India is the largest producer of Bengal gram (Cicer aritinum L.) in the world. It contributed 61.65 percent of the total area and 68.13 percent of the total world production during 2002. Bengal gram has a premier place in the production of pulses in India. India imports a little quantity to fulfill the pulse requirement of the country and exports a meager quantity of Bengal gram mostly to those countries, where population of Indian origin resides. Increase in the availability of Bengal gram will ensure the nutritional food security of the poorest in society significantly. It is a low input-requiring crop, deriving over 70 percent of its nitrogen requirements through symbiotic fixation, simultaneously improving soil fertility for subsequent crops. It contains high protein and is a rich source of phosphorous and calcium. It is a food of common people consumed throughout the country in different forms.

This profile has been prepared with a view to enable the farming community to scientifically manage the post-harvest operations in respect of Bengal gram crop in order to realize higher price in the market. The profile covers almost all aspects of the marketing of Bengal gram, which include post-harvest management, marketing practices, quality and standards, grading, packaging, transportation, storage, SPS requirements, etc.

This Profile has been prepared by Shri MANISH KUMAR CHOUDHARY, Marketing Officer under the supervision of Shri B. D. SHERKAR, Dy. Agricultural Marketing Adviser and Shri H. P. SINGH, Jt. Agricultural Marketing Adviser and overall guidance of Dr. G. R. BHATIA, Additional Agricultural Marketing Adviser.

The Directorate of Marketing and Inspection acknowledges the assistance and co-operation extended by various institutions/ organizations in supplying the relevant data/ information required for compilation of this profile.

The Government of India should not be regarded as assuming responsibility for any of the statements contained in this profile.

Faridabad.

Dated :18-05-2004                                                                                                                                        

Agricultural Marketing Adviser
to the Government of India

Click here for complete profile