Now Reading: IIMR gets patent for automated millet roti-making machine
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IIMR gets patent for automated millet roti-making machine
Researchers from VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering & Technology (VNRVJIET), Hyderabad, and the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) have been granted an industrial design patent for an indigenous automated roti-making…
Researchers from VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering & Technology (VNRVJIET), Hyderabad, and the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) have been granted an industrial design patent for an indigenous automated roti-making machine designed for millet-based rotis. The machine aims to reduce the time and labour involved in preparing millet rotis, which has been a barrier to their wider adoption in Indian households.
The project received Rs 3 lakh in funding from NUTRI-Hub, the incubation hub of IIMR, for prototype and design development. Lead researcher Pranavanand Satyamurthy said the innovation targets making millet-based rotis faster and more convenient, especially for young Indians adopting healthier diets. The researchers aim to lower the machine's cost to around Rs 40,000, down from current models priced at Rs 1.5 lakh.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Millet consumption in India has grown as the government promotes nutri-cereals through the International Year of Millets 2023 and the PM-POSHAN scheme, but home preparation remains cumbersome. Unlike wheat dough, millet dough lacks gluten, making it crumbly and hard to roll by hand. Patents on food-processing equipment can accelerate adoption if the device reaches a price point affordable for mid-income households. The target price of Rs 40,000 still puts it beyond most home kitchens, making community or small-batch commercial use a likelier early market. Watch for whether the machine enters production or licensing agreements within the next year.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
