shriviratra

[shriviratra]

Pulses Processing Plants: The Backbone of Modern Agro Food Processing

Introduction

As global food consumption patterns shift toward convenience, health, and sustainability, pulses—such as lentils, chickpeas, and moong—have become more important than ever. These protein-rich crops are essential in daily diets across Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe and the Americas. But what transforms raw, harvested pulses into polished, packaged, and ready-to-cook products? The answer lies in modern pulses processing plants.

These plants are not just factories—they’re the core of a well-functioning agro food supply chain. With rising demand for packaged pulses in both domestic and export markets, agro businesses are turning to automation and engineering solutions to stay ahead.

What Are Pulses Processing Plants?

Pulses processing plants are industrial setups designed to process various types of pulses through a systematic sequence of cleaning, dehusking, splitting, polishing, and packaging. Each step in the process is carried out by specialized machines that ensure uniformity, hygiene, and efficiency.

These plants serve small-scale farmers, mid-size agro entrepreneurs, and large food manufacturers alike—providing scalable solutions to meet ever-increasing food safety standards and production goals.

How Pulses Are Processed: Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. Cleaning

Raw pulses are full of impurities like stones, dust, and husk. Cleaning equipment removes these unwanted elements.

Vibro Classifiers eliminate light impurities

Destoners remove heavier materials like stones

Drum Sieves screen out oversized debris

2. Grading

Grading is essential to ensure consistent size and shape in the final product.

Grader machines sort pulses by size

Gravity separators classify by weight and density

3. Dehusking & Splitting

This stage removes the outer layer (husk) and splits the pulse into edible halves.

Fatka machines crack open the outer covering

Emery roll machines dehusk and polish simultaneously

Pulse splitters divide the grain while maintaining structural integrity

4. Polishing

Polishing enhances the visual appeal and shelf life of the pulses.

Rubber roll polishers provide smooth, even finishes

Leather and brush roll polishers give an extra shine

Conveyor polishers streamline the finishing process in large-scale plants

5. Storage & Handling

Efficient storage and transport mechanisms improve plant performance and safety.

Bucket elevators and screw conveyors move product between stages

Folding storage silos hold large quantities with minimal space

Dust ducts and jet filters maintain cleanliness and air quality

Why Pulses Processing Plants Are Essential

Boost Productivity

Automation means faster output, with the ability to process multiple tons per day.

Ensure Food Safety

Dust-removal systems, hygienic surfaces, and closed-loop processes reduce contamination risk.

Reduce Waste

Modern systems are optimized to minimize grain breakage and material loss.

Meet Market Demand

Well-processed pulses meet packaging and quality standards required for retail and export.

Support Farmer Income

By enabling local value addition, these plants help farmers earn more from their produce.

The Role of Pulses Processing in Agro Food Processing

Pulses processing plants are a critical piece of the broader agro food processing ecosystem. In many facilities, pulse lines are integrated with:

Flour mills (wheat, maize, millet)

Besan plants (gram flour from chana dal)

Spices processing plants (for turmeric, coriander, cumin)

Cleaning and sorting lines for grains

This integration allows agro processors to diversify their product lines and cater to a broader market—all while using the same plant infrastructure and labor resources more efficiently.

Conclusion

Modern pulses processing plants are revolutionizing how food is prepared, packaged, and delivered. From ensuring food safety to increasing productivity, these facilities are vital for any agro business looking to thrive in today’s competitive food industry.

As global consumption of pulses continues to rise, investing in a well-designed processing plant is not just a business move—it’s a long-term strategy for sustainability, quality, and growth.