Primary Processing: First Step in the Value Chain

India is the major producer of food grains in the world. Food grains are harvested and transported directly to the market which leads to quality detoriation and wastage of food grains. AGMARK grading certification programme has framed standards for grains based on their intrinsic quality and physical characteristics that include moisture content, foreign matter, admixture, extent of damage, extent of immature produce, pest infestation, weevil attack, and extent of shrivelled produce. It is generally found in the field that the grains produced possessed higher impurities than the permissible limits. Therefore, Karnataka State Marketing Department has taken initiative to establish cleaning, grading and packaging units in different regulated markets (APMC) to help farmers for better price realisation and promote primary processing. Similar efforts shall be made by other regions to prepare the farmers to claim the first ladder of value chain successfully.