Grain processing is the biggest component in the food sector. Since the state has a significant presence in the food grain sector and in some oilseeds production, the grain-processing sector has tremendous market potential.

                                     There already exist a large number of rice processing units in the state which produce mainly Indian snacks like puffed rice (moori), flattened rice (chira) and Indian rye (khoi). Most of these units are small-scale units and fall under the unorganised sector. The biggest player in this sector is the ‘Kohinoor’, which produce rice crispies and instant rice.

Scope and range of products in Grain processing:

IN RICE:

– Opportunities for Domestic branding & export of scented rice:

• Varieties of scented rice available in the state:

West Bengal grows significant varieties of scented rice. The long grains as well as the common grain varieties of this scented rice have potential both for domestic branding and export. The grain wise scented varieties of rice grown in West Bengal are given below:

• Scented Varieties having commercial potential:

* IET-13549 - A long grain scented variety. This is an improved variety upon Pusa Basmati, not yet released, but the process is underway

* Gobind Bhog
* Kamini Bhog
* Tulai Paji
* Radhuni Pagol
* Khaas Dhan

Commercial utilisation of rice by-products like processing of rice bran for oil and processing of paddy husk:

• Rice bran oil: Rice Bran Oil has significant ‘Health Benefits’. In Japan and Korea, rice bran oil is referred to as ‘’the heart oil’’ & is priced at a premium of 80-100% as compared to other edible oils. US consumption of rice bran oil has been increasing. The oil has acquired the status of ‘health food’ in the country. This status of health food is because of its remarkable cholesterol reducing properties having cholesterol level of –17, the lowest among all edible oils.

Processing of Paddy husk:

• Paddy husk can be used to generate electricity, to extract furfural and as a raw material for furniture, in addition to its current use as cattle feed & fuel.

• Commercial uses of burnt husk ash produced during power generation: The ash could be used in the manufacture of bricks with better insulating properties, for extracting silica & as a fertiliser. 

IN OILSEED:

• The state also has significant presence in the oilseed sector. The major components are groundnut, linseed, mesta, nigerseed, rapeseed, mustard, sesamum and soyabean. The Agricultural Department has suggested the setting up of groundnut oil mills for commercial utilisation of groundnut and provides further inducement to farmers to grow groundnuts more commercially. The state has scope in oilseed processing as 604200 hectares of land are under oilseed cultivation with a production level of 493000 ton.
 

Policy & Regulations in this sector:

• No license needed for setting up rice/pulse mills.

• No license required for setting up of or capacity expansion of roller flour-mills.

• No license requirement or price/distribution controls on manufacture of wheat products.