Dall Mill: Annual Consumption will Reach 24 Million Tonnes by 2020
India is one of the largest producers and consumers of pulses in the world. With changing dietary patterns and rising awareness of protein intake, demand for pulses continues to grow steadily. Reports indicate that dall mill annual consumption will reach 24 million tonnes by 2020 dal dhal mill dried pulse peas pisum sativum chickpeas garbanzos moong urad lentils masur pigeon peas tur Dal Mill Project—highlighting the immense market potential. Pulses are vital in vegetarian diets and serve as key protein sources for millions. Moreover, their adaptability to diverse climates and ability to enrich soil fertility make them a strategic crop for sustainable agriculture. As a result, establishing a dal mill business offers both economic viability and social relevance. Understanding Dal Mill Project and Market Dynamics Dal milling refers to the process of cleaning, dehusking, splitting, and polishing dried pulses. The finished product is what we commonly call dal, used in various Indian cuisines. With increased urbanization and demand for processed, ready-to-cook pulses, the dal mill industry is rapidly expanding. See More : Snack Food Manufacturing Major Pulse Types Processed in Dal Mills India grows a wide variety of pulses, each requiring slightly different processing techniques. A typical dal mill handles several of the following: Pisum sativum (dried peas): These green or yellow peas are used in soups and snacks. Chickpeas (garbanzos): Often split into chana dal or ground into besan flour. Moong dal: A highly digestible pulse, ideal for khichdi and sprouts. Urad dal: Used in idli-dosa batter, papads, and vadas. Lentils (masur dal): Red or pink lentils used for quick-cooking recipes. Pigeon peas (tur/arhar dal): A staple in Indian households and thalis. Each of these pulses undergoes cleaning, grading, conditioning, splitting, and polishing. Moreover, by-products such as husk and broken dal are sold as cattle feed or used in flour milling, ensuring zero waste. Pulse Consumption Trends and Industry Growth India’s population growth and changing food preferences have significantly impacted the pulse sector. The phrase dall mill annual consumption will reach 24 million tonnes by 2020 dal dhal mill dried pulse peas pisum sativum chickpeas garbanzos moong urad lentils masur pigeon peas tur dal mill accurately reflects the pace of demand. Drivers of this growth include: Rising middle-class income and shift to packaged food Urbanization leading to greater consumption of processed dal Government nutrition programs increasing pulse distribution Health trends favoring plant-based proteins Moreover, global demand for Indian pulses, especially in countries with large Indian diasporas, has created an export market. This further boosts profitability for dal mill entrepreneurs. Dal Milling Process and Machinery Requirements A typical dal milling unit consists of the following steps: Cleaning – Removal of dust, stones, and foreign particles using graders and de-stoners. Pitting and soaking – Loosening the husk for easier dehusking. Drying – Bringing soaked pulses to the right moisture content. Dehusking and splitting – Using emery rollers or modern impact splitters. Polishing – Enhancing the appearance of dal using oil or water polishers. Key machines include: Pulse cleaner and grader Destoner and aspirator Pitting machine and soaking tanks Dryer Dal splitter and polisher Elevators and conveyors for material handling Semi-automatic and fully automated dal mills are now available for entrepreneurs, depending on scale and investment. Moreover, machinery made of stainless steel ensures food safety and long-term durability. Capacity Planning and Investment for Dal Mills Small-scale dal mills may process 1–2 tonnes/day, while medium units handle up to 10 tonnes/day. Large commercial plants can go beyond 50 tonnes/day. Your investment depends on land, machinery, utilities, and working capital. Estimated cost for different scales: Small dal mill: ?12–15 lakhs Medium dal mill: ?25–35 lakhs Large dal mill: ?60 lakhs and above Working capital is required for raw pulse procurement, packaging materials, electricity, labor, and transport. However, with proper planning and government support, return on investment is strong. Moreover, break-even typically occurs within 1.5–2 years of operation. Raw Material Sourcing and Seasonal Planning Sourcing quality raw pulses is critical. India grows pulses in two main seasons: Kharif season: July to October (moong, urad, tur) Rabi season: November to March (chickpeas, masur, peas) Procurement can be done through: Local mandis and wholesale markets Direct purchase from farmers or FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations) Government procurement agencies and NAFED To avoid supply disruption, millers should maintain buffer stock and diversify sourcing locations. Moreover, aligning processing with crop calendars improves inventory turnover and reduces storage costs. Packaging, Branding, and Retail Distribution Modern consumers prefer neatly packed, branded dal with proper labeling and quality assurance. Your dal mill can add value through: Vacuum-sealed or nitrogen-flushed packs to enhance shelf life Custom weight packs (500g, 1kg, 5kg) to suit market segments Clear labeling with FSSAI compliance, expiry date, and nutrition facts Distribution channels include: Local retail stores and supermarkets Wholesalers and distributors Online marketplaces like Amazon, BigBasket Institutional buyers like hotels and caterers Moreover, branding your dal with regional or health-based identity (e.g., “organic tur dal from Vidarbha”) helps you stand out in a competitive market. By-Products and Waste Utilization Dal milling generates valuable by-products: Broken dal: Used in animal feed or secondary flour Husk: Burned as biomass fuel or used in compost Dust and screenings: Used for poultry feed or discarded safely Innovative units are using husk to power biomass boilers and reduce energy costs. Moreover, some mills convert broken dal into value-added products like pulse flour or protein-rich snacks. Licensing, Compliance, and Quality Standards To run a legal and safe dal mill business, the following licenses are essential: FSSAI license (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) GST registration Factory license and local trade license Pollution control NOC (if required) Adopting ISO 22000 or HACCP standards further enhances product credibility. Moreover, quality grading and certifications (Agmark, Organic) allow you to charge premium prices and access export markets. Government Support and Subsidies The Indian government promotes pulse processing under several schemes: PMFME (Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises) NABARD refinance schemes for agro-processing MSME credit under MUDRA loans and CGTMSE Subsidy on dal mill machinery through SFAC,
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