Post-harvest profile of red gram - Agmarknet

Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus ochraceus and Aspergillus parasiticus. The aflatoxigenicAspergilli is generally regarded as storage fungi.The ingestion of aflatoxin suppresses growth, productivity and immunity of humanbeing. Aflatoxins are carcinogenic, mutagenic and cause liver damage etc.Prevention and control of aflatoxins:♦ Store the Red gram after drying upto safe moisture level i.e. within the prescribed range.♦ Prevent the growth of aflatoxin by proper drying of grains.♦ Use proper and scientific storage.♦♦Prevent insect infestation by chemicals to avoid mould formation.Separate the infected grains from sound grains to avoid aflatoxin contamination.3.3.3 Grading at producers’ level and under Agmark:There is an increasing recognition to the fact that producers need to be assisted ingra ding their produce before sale so that they may get better price. For securing adequatereturns to the producer-seller, the scheme of “Grading at Producers’ Level” was introduced in1962-63 by Directorate of Marketing and Inspection. The main objective of this scheme is tosubject the produce to simple tests and assign a grade before it is offered for sale. Aftergrading, the producers get prices commensurate with the quality of the produce. Theprogramme is being implemented by the States/Union Territories. Up to 31-03-2002, 1411grading units have been set up in the country. Grading of the produce at producers’ levelenables farmers to get higher price for their produce as well as it helps the consumers to getstandard quality produce at fair price. Grading not only facilitates the dissemination of pricesand market information but also assist systematic distribution at all stages.Table No. 11: Progress of grading of Red gram at producers’ level and under AgmarkAt producers’ LevelUnder Agmark*YearQuantity(Tonnes)Value(Rs.Lakh)Quantity(Tonnes)Value(Rs.Lakh)2001- 2002 237939 32706.88 11636* 3326.37*2002- 2003(Provisional)188896 27350.61 11708* 4964.16** Total Pulses (Pulse wise data is not available).Source: Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, Faridabad.During the year 2001-2002, about 237939 tonnes of Red gram valued at Rs. 32706.88lakh was graded at producers’ level against 188896 tonnes valued at Rs.27350.61 lakh in theyear 2002-2003.However, only 11636 tonnes of pulses valued worth Rs. 3326.37 lakhs were gradedunder Agmark during the year 2001-2002 for domestic consumption as against 11708 tonnesvalued at Rs. 4964.16 lakhs during the year 2002-2003(provisional).3.4 Packaging:18