DRYING TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT IN INDIA

Abstract

India produces over 200 million tonnes of food grains annually. There is need of postproduction management system to match with the increasing production rate. Drying is the primary need of crop's postproduction system. Sun drying is a popular mode of crops drying in India. The use of mechanical dryers are almost nil at arm level. With ever-growing population, the food grain production will increase to meet the demand of people. However, the agriculture is taking the shape of industry. Therefore, quality maintenance of the food grain is the primary concern. Thus, the crop drying cannot be dependent on sun drying. A good amount of research and development have been carried out on drying technology during the last two decades. So far very little attention have been given on the development of high capacity dryers, which are presently needed. High capacity dryers are also needed in food processing, chemicals and other industries, which are at growing stage in India. Hence, in nut and shell, there is a big demand for high capacity mechanical dryers and advanced drying technology. This paper presents the status of drying equipment and technology in India and its perspectives in future. To overcome the problems of drying and dryer development, the measures taken by the Government have been also mentioned. Potential of drying equipment business in international and domestic market is also highlighted in this paper.