Samprati Motghare
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014
In the 10 year period from 2001 to 2010, India has increased its production of horticultural products from 145.8 million tonnes to 240 million tonnes. This increase is more than the increase in area under cultivation of these crops, indicating an increase in productivity.
West Bengal leads all the states by producing 13% of overall production of horticultural crops. It produces about 30 million tonnes of horticultural products with accounting for more than one thirds (34%) of total flower production of the country and 3.85 million tonnes of fruits.
Endowed with five agro-climatic regions, West Bengal has the potential to be the food bowl of India. The recent impetus given to horticulture and food processing industries by the new government shows this intent.
Support for horticulture
12,900 farmers have received assistance for paying premium on crop insurance and 15 more products like chilli, mango, tomato etc. have been brought under its ambit. Farmers have been encouraged to opt for horticulture and this has led to increase of 15,611 hectare area under fruit cultivation, 1,609 hectare area under vegetable cultivation and 3,631 hectare area under flower cultivation, in past 34 months.
Encouraging scientific cultivation
Along with taking initiative for Tissue culture, grants have been awarded for Poly House and Shed Net House methods of cultivation which advocate better guarding of horticulture products during cultivation. Financial assistance has been provided to 2,857 farmers engaged in horticulture to buy equipment like tractor, power tillers, pump sets etc.
Achieving self dependence for Onions
To safeguard the residents from sudden price rise of Onions, a special initiative has been undertaken to achieve self dependence in Onions. This year Agrifound Dark Red species of onion has been cultivated in 303 hectares of land in Kharif season and an increase of 500 hectares of Agrifound light red species of onion cultivation has been witnessed in Ravi season.
Empowering our farmers
7 Krisak Utpadak Sangstha or Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have been formed in 7 different districts with strength of total 8,500 farmers. The main aim of these organizations is to eliminate middlemen from the process of marketing of the produce. Along with a Tissue Culture Laboratory at Ayespur, five Technology Extension Centres are being set up at different districts. Five dedicated horticulture markets are also being constructed in various districts. Agrihorti Food Fest was organized and 384 farmers were trained to apply technology in horticulture.
Developments in Food Processing
In just 34 months, 38 new food processing industries have been set up with an investment of Rs 312 crore. A modern slaughter house has been constructed with an investment of Rs 28.45 crore in Tangra. Also, yearly production capacity of grain mills has now increased by 2.4 lakh metric tons. These developments have resulted in generation of employment to the tune of 7.84 man days.
Encouraging entrepreneurs
Around 112 entrepreneurs have received training through 7 food-processing training cum production centers with another 238 undergoing the training. Financial grants, ranging from Rs 4 lakh for organizing a seminar to Rs 75 lakh for setting up a food processing centre, are being offered to encourage entrepreneurs so that they can come forward in the field of food processing. Additional grant of Rs 5 lakh has been given for construction of rice mill to 165 blocks which do not have a rice mill.
Apart from the above steps there has been a conscious and consistent effort from government’s side to establish and maintain better coordination between work related to development of horticulture and MNREGA scheme. For this effort, Bankura district, along with 8 other districts, has received a National Award.
The Government has also kept the interests of the common man in mind, as it has provided necessary financial assistance for the sale of onions, potatoes and vegetables through fair price shops.
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014
In the 10 year period from 2001 to 2010, India has increased its production of horticultural products from 145.8 million tonnes to 240 million tonnes. This increase is more than the increase in area under cultivation of these crops, indicating an increase in productivity.
West Bengal leads all the states by producing 13% of overall production of horticultural crops. It produces about 30 million tonnes of horticultural products with accounting for more than one thirds (34%) of total flower production of the country and 3.85 million tonnes of fruits.
Endowed with five agro-climatic regions, West Bengal has the potential to be the food bowl of India. The recent impetus given to horticulture and food processing industries by the new government shows this intent.
Support for horticulture
12,900 farmers have received assistance for paying premium on crop insurance and 15 more products like chilli, mango, tomato etc. have been brought under its ambit. Farmers have been encouraged to opt for horticulture and this has led to increase of 15,611 hectare area under fruit cultivation, 1,609 hectare area under vegetable cultivation and 3,631 hectare area under flower cultivation, in past 34 months.
Encouraging scientific cultivation
Along with taking initiative for Tissue culture, grants have been awarded for Poly House and Shed Net House methods of cultivation which advocate better guarding of horticulture products during cultivation. Financial assistance has been provided to 2,857 farmers engaged in horticulture to buy equipment like tractor, power tillers, pump sets etc.
Achieving self dependence for Onions
To safeguard the residents from sudden price rise of Onions, a special initiative has been undertaken to achieve self dependence in Onions. This year Agrifound Dark Red species of onion has been cultivated in 303 hectares of land in Kharif season and an increase of 500 hectares of Agrifound light red species of onion cultivation has been witnessed in Ravi season.
Empowering our farmers
7 Krisak Utpadak Sangstha or Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have been formed in 7 different districts with strength of total 8,500 farmers. The main aim of these organizations is to eliminate middlemen from the process of marketing of the produce. Along with a Tissue Culture Laboratory at Ayespur, five Technology Extension Centres are being set up at different districts. Five dedicated horticulture markets are also being constructed in various districts. Agrihorti Food Fest was organized and 384 farmers were trained to apply technology in horticulture.
Developments in Food Processing
In just 34 months, 38 new food processing industries have been set up with an investment of Rs 312 crore. A modern slaughter house has been constructed with an investment of Rs 28.45 crore in Tangra. Also, yearly production capacity of grain mills has now increased by 2.4 lakh metric tons. These developments have resulted in generation of employment to the tune of 7.84 man days.
Encouraging entrepreneurs
Around 112 entrepreneurs have received training through 7 food-processing training cum production centers with another 238 undergoing the training. Financial grants, ranging from Rs 4 lakh for organizing a seminar to Rs 75 lakh for setting up a food processing centre, are being offered to encourage entrepreneurs so that they can come forward in the field of food processing. Additional grant of Rs 5 lakh has been given for construction of rice mill to 165 blocks which do not have a rice mill.
Apart from the above steps there has been a conscious and consistent effort from government’s side to establish and maintain better coordination between work related to development of horticulture and MNREGA scheme. For this effort, Bankura district, along with 8 other districts, has received a National Award.
The Government has also kept the interests of the common man in mind, as it has provided necessary financial assistance for the sale of onions, potatoes and vegetables through fair price shops.
