Kolkata: Agri-Business Meet 2022 was organised on Saturday at the Nabanna Sabhaghar under the Chairmanship of Dr Hari Krishna Dwivedi Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal. Around 220 participants from sectors dealing in agriculture-related business attended the meet. Pradip Kumar Mazumdar, Advisor, Agriculture and Allied Sectors also graced the occasion.
Additional Chief Secretaries/Principal Secretaries/Secretaries, senior and field level officials from the departments of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing, Animal Resources Development, Food Processing Industries & Horticulture, Fisheries, Food & Supplies, Cooperation, Micro Small and Medium Enterprise and Textile(MSME&T), Panchayat and Rural Development and Industry, Commerce and Enterprises participated in the meet.
The Chief Secretary stated that under the direction of the Chief Minister this Agri-Business Meet is being organized.
Agri Business Industry, Farmers Producers Organizations, Rice Bran Oil producers, Poultry and Fish Feed Producers, business units dealing in poultry, milk, fisheries and fish feed, meat processing, potato and other vegetables, fruits, rice bran oil, ethanol, pulses and oilseeds and others participated in the deliberations. Big players in the Agri & allied sectors associated with agriculture and horticulture like in retail chain and cold chain business were also present. Leading banks, State Co-operative banks, NABARD, and the State Agricultural Universities were also present.
Dr Sanjeev Puri Chairman ITC who was also present virtually in the meet and highlighted the need to emphasize on R&D, market linkage as per local needs and preferences, enabling FPOs with digital technology and climate smart agriculture. He expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister of West Bengal for creating a business friendly environment in the state.
The Chief Secretary highlighted that there has been rapid increase in the agricultural scenario of Bengal under the leadership of the Chief Minister. West Bengal is the leading producer of rice, jute, vegetables and fish seeds. A staggering 7-fold increase has been made in maize production. Pulses production registered a growth of 2.5 times and oilseeds production 1.5 times.
This pro-farmer initiative has increased the farmers’ income but ensured social security in an inclusive approach.
Participants from Rice Mill owners stated increasing production of Rice Bran Oil in a big in the State to meet the edible oil needs and suggested enhancing Oil solvent Plants in the State. This was mentioned to integrate production of maize, Soybean and raw material for Fish and Poultry Feed to meet the demand of the industry locally and thereby linking farmers. A good number of Agri exporters in Horticulture, Sea Food, Marine Fishery and Aromatic Rice participated in the meet and presented success stories for scaling up. In Ethanol production eight units have already started production.
Self-sufficiency in fish production by improving cultivation practices was discussed in detail and Industry delegates showed keen interest to invest in marine and aqua sectors in the State.
