Patna, March 23: Delectable makke ki rotis were promised to visitors at Gandhi Maidan by the agriculture department. Having lived up to its promise, the item is in great demand at the Bihar Divas celebrations.

A machine, which can produce 3,600 rotis an hour has been set up at the agriculture department stall. Yesterday, 8,000 rotis made from quality protein maize on the machine were sold and by this evening, sales had already touched 6,725 pieces. The demand forced many to return empty-handed.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, the agriculture department and Rajendra Agriculture University have jointly installed the machine. It not only demonstrates how to make rotis, it also produces highly nutritious rotis — around 40 rotis from one kilogram of flour.

Agriculture department deputy director (information) A.C. Jain said: “There is huge demand for the makke ki rotis and we are selling five rotis for just Rs 10.”

On the large-scale production of the rotis, Jain said: “From processing the maize to preparing the dough and finally making the rotis, all of it is done automatically in the machine. Only the dough is put in the machine manually.”

Mrityunjay Kumar, a senior scientist (maize) at RAU, said: ‘The quality protein maize has a surplus of two amino acids — triptophine and lisil — which leads to better capacity of protein release. The quality enhances up to 8.5 to 9 per cent. If these acids are present in a good amount in any type of maize, the quality will enhance.”

The visitors to the stall are also very excited about this nutritious variety of maize.

Anu, a homemaker, who waited for half-an-hour to take the rotis home, said: “My son tasted the rotis and really liked them. Not only are they fresh and tasty, they are very soft as well. So I bought some more to take back home today.”

Sumit Kumar, a college student, said: “I was very satisfied with the rotis. Apart from being highly nutritious, they are very soft.”

The makke ki rotis are not the only speciality of the agriculture department stall. They have also prepared models of integrated farming.

On their other initiatives, Jain said: “We are popularising makhana, which is an exclusive product of Bihar and a Shanti Stupa has also been made from the dry fruit. Grains like lentils, Katarni rice have been used to prepare a statue of Lord Ganesh. Sugarcanes have also been promoted at the stall.”

Santosh Kumar Uttam, the agriculture department assistant director (information), said: “Integrated farming involves various types of farming on an area and is especially useful for small farmers.”

“A blood donation camp has been organised for the employees of the agriculture department and farmers on Thursday,” said Jain. Visitors can donate blood, he added.