Keeping in view the significance of agro-processing plants, a processing complex “Samrat Flour Mill” has been established in the village Huzra, near Sidhwan Bet, Tehsil Jagraon, district Ludhiana, with the technical assistance from PAU under the aegis of All India Coordinated Research Project on Post Harvest Engineering and Technology.
The mill is owned by S. Gurdeep Singh, son of S. Gurdev Singh. The agro-processing plant includes modern wheat flour milling unit and procurement of mini rice mill and baby oil expeller is under process.
“Agro-processing plants are need of the hour to curtail post-harvest losses and for value addition of agricultural produce at village level,” observed Dr M S Alam, Senior Research Engineer-cum-Incharge, All India Coordinated Research Project on Post Harvest Engineering and Technology, Department of Processing and Food Engineering, PAU.
He said the University is imparting training and providing technical guidance and support to the rural population for the establishment of processing complex. The establishment of agro-processing complex (APC) at the farm gate will help in getting quality products, reducing post-harvest losses, providing employment to rural youth and achieving diversification in agriculture besides improving economic and social status of farmers, he added. The workmanship of S. Pritpal Singh was also appreciated.
Dr Ashok Kumar, Additional Director of Research (Farm Mechanization and Bioenergy) and Head, Processing and Food Engineering, lauded the efforts of Dr Alam and his team. He informed that till date, around 296 APCs have been established throughout Punjab and are running successfully. He also highlighted that the department has trained the scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendras for multiplying APCs at a faster rate throughout the state.
Dr Alam accompanied by S. Mehal Singh, Investigator and S Harpreet Singh, Research Fellow, attended the inaugural ceremony of the complex. About 250 farmers were present on the occasion.
S. Mehal Singh shared his experience with the farmers and encouraged them to set-up such plants in future as well.
Source:http://www.pau.edu/
