Emerging Opportunities In Tur Dal Mills Of Nagpur: A Study Of Current Practices And Future Prospects

Abstract

Agro-processing industries contribute significantly to regional economic development by linking agriculture with value addition, employment, and market expansion. Tur dal milling is an important segment of this sector since pigeon pea is a widely consumed pulse in India. Nagpur, a key commercial center in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, has strong potential for growth in pulse processing. In 2021, supportive government policies, modernization initiatives, and infrastructure schemes in the food-processing sector created new opportunities for small and medium agro-processing enterprises.

The study analyzes these opportunities for tur dal mills in Nagpur using secondary data from government reports between July and December 2021. It highlights that the future of dal mills depends not only on traditional processing but also on modernization, improved quality, packaging, branding, and stronger market connections. While favorable agricultural output and expanding packaged food markets support modernization, challenges such as high investment costs, technological gaps, market volatility, and limited branding remain key constraints.