New Delhi, Dec. 15 -- A government-commissioned study on India's pulses stocks has revealed serious gaps in storage practices, fuelling concerns over the availability of a key protein source for a large section of the population.

The study highlighted the need for uniform scientific protocols in storage and milling, after examining more than 500 stacks of pulses across 101 warehouses in major producing states.

Stacks of pulses refer to piles of pulse bags stored in warehouses, with each stack treated as one unit for monitoring quality.

The report, reviewed by Mint, undertaken by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (ICAR-CIPHET) for the Department of Consumer Affairs, ...