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The Status of Agriculture and Allied Sectors in Bengal

West Bengal is a leading state in agriculture, horticulture, and fruit processing. The state is renowned for its exotic varieties of flowers, orchids, and cacti. It holds the title of the highest producer of vegetables in the country and is a leading producer of pineapples. West Bengal consistently ranks second or third in fruit production nationwide. According to state government statistics, agriculture contributes 30% to the state’s GDP, with about 57% of the population engaged in agricultural work. The state accounts for 30% of the country’s total potato production, 27% of pineapples, 12% of bananas, and 16% of rice. It also leads the country in meat production, including poultry, and produces 10% of the nation’s edible oil.

Bengal is also a frontrunner in pisciculture. The state is the largest producer of fish and shrimp and the biggest supplier of fish, meeting 80% of the country’s demand for carp seed.

Recently, the Department of Food Processing and Horticulture, in collaboration with the Indian Chamber of Commerce, organized the ‘Bengal Food and Fruit Festival’ to showcase the status and development of agriculture and allied sectors in the state. A large number of dignitaries attended the inauguration of the three-day festival.

Agricultural Development Measures in the State

Farmers in West Bengal face several challenges, including agricultural loans, droughts, and proper pricing of their products. These challenges often hinder their prosperity, leading to low income levels. Addressing this, Shovandev Chattopadhyay, Minister-in-Charge of the Department of Agriculture, stated, “Significant improvements have been made. Farmers now receive ` 10,000 annually in two installments, and small farmers receive Rs.4,000. The insurance premiums for farmers are fully covered. If a farmer dies before the age of 60, his family receives ` 2 lakh. Farmers over 60 years old receive a pension. These measures have significantly improved their lives.”

He also highlighted improvements in agricultural infra-structure, stating, “The government has spent Rs.3,000 crore on infrastructure development. We have established 93 cold storages, 367 cold storages (both small and large), 367 dal mills, 339 warehouses, and 1,132 farm mechanization units to support our farmers.” Chattopadhyay added that the state has also established around 1,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), involving 5 lakh farmers, and 600 Sufal Bangla outlets.

New Initiatives in Horticulture

Arup Roy, Minister-in-Charge of the Department of Food Processing Industries and Horticulture, noted that the state has started producing many fruits and vegetables that were previously not grown. The government has been setting up labs to advance the food and horticulture sectors. Considering health aspects, the government has established ripening centers across various districts to ensure the safe consumption of fruits like bananas. He also said, “We are vigilant about weather forecasts, especially cyclonic storms, which has helped fruit producers like mango farmers to harvest on time and send their produce to ripening centers. The state has also become more self-sufficient in producing several food items that were previously imported from other states.”

Omkar Meena, IAS, Principal Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, emphasized that the state has made significant progress in the food processing sector, focusing on value addition to products, which has greatly benefited farmers.

Srikanta Goenka, Chairman of the Agriculture and Food Proces-sing Committee of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the pressure on the state’s agriculture. “Despite covering only 2.7% of India’s geographic area, West Bengal supports 8.8% of its population.” He added that the festival celebrated the rich diversity of agriculture and food processing in Bengal, with a special focus on the state’s exotic fruits and vegetables, such as dragon fruit, avocado, and year-round produce.

About the Festival

Fifteen districts participated in the festival, with 64 stalls exhi- biting their products. Howrah district was declared the winner among the stalls, although the criteria for ranking were not dis-closed. The stalls from Maldah and Purba Medinipur secured second and third places, respectively. It was reported that thousands of visitors attended the festival over the three days.

Pradip Majumdar, Minister-in-Charge of the Department of Panchayat and Rural Development and Cooperation, emphasized the importance of improving farmers’ lifestyles, stating, “Our goal is not just surplus production but also effectively meeting consumer demand.”