Farmers: The focus of agricultural development

Samprati Motghare
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


With a constant impetus on increasing the production of food grains, West Bengal has always been a leader when it comes to production of India’s staple food - rice. It contributes about 16% of the total rice production in the country. The state achieved cereal production of 173 lakh tons in 2013-14 as compared to 148 lakh tons in 2010-11. All these facts hint at a prosperous farmer class in the state – a far cry from the ground reality which existed till the year 2011. The reason was a lack of focus towards the demand-centric production strategy, which consequently led to farmers ending up with lesser money, despite putting in great endeavours in the fields.


Situation till February 2012

Coarse grain paddy (MTU 7029, IR 36, IR 64) were promoted for cultivation because of its higher productivity. Farmers also felt that if they are able to grow more, they will be able to earn more. However, the planners, till then, had forgotten the basic principle of economics, i.e. income from a produce depends on its demand in the market. As more people were shifting to finer grain rice for consumption, there were few takers of the coarse grain rice in the state. This simply meant that despite being the leader in rice production, West Bengal was essentially importing rice for its consumption. The price which was being offered to farmers was Rs. 950 per Quintal which was far less than their production costs.


Crucial steps taken by the government

To tackle the pressing problem of low prices being offered to farmers, the West Bengal government took some urgent steps.

• Persuaded Food Corporation of India to stop import of rice for PDS
• Rice of all varieties was put on Open General License (allowed to export)
• 32 Lakh metric tons of paddy was procured for PDS at Rs. 1,080/Quintal and money was paid through A/C payee cheques
• Exporters were encouraged and helped to pick up coarse grain, resulting in export of 11 Lakh metric tons to 61 countries.


Strategic turnaround

As a strategic measure, farmers were encouraged to grow finer and aromatic rice on additional 8,000 hectares by replacing the coarse grain. Also, in areas yielding less than 2 metric tons/hectare of coarse grain, farmers were encouraged to grow pulses, oil seeds and maize with all the support being extended by the government. The results of the above steps have brought smiles back on the faces of farmers. As compared to the price of Rs. 950-1000 per Quintal that they would sell ‘at farm’ for coarse grain till 2012, they are now selling at a price of Rs. 1330-1350 per Quintal. This increase is much more significant in case of Mini Kit and Khas (Gobindo Bhog) varieties which has seen an increase from Rs 1,200 per Quintal to Rs 1,640-1,700 per Quintal (for Mini Kit), and from Rs. 2,150 per Quintal to Rs. 3,200 per Quintal (for Khas), respectively.


A detailed understanding of these facts and the work carried out at the grass-root level, only further strengthens the Chief Minister’s belief that no development is development until it brings happiness to the farmers.

Health: Rebuilding the infrastructure

Tanmay Mondal
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


The state of West Bengal saw a rapid deterioration of the health infrastructure during the 34 years of Left Front rule. After the new Government came to power in May 2011, one of the biggest expectations of the people was better healthcare facilities. The policies and initiatives taken by the Government led by Mamata Banerjee shows a will for change. Although there is still a lot to be achieved, the foundation has already been laid; the fruits will be enjoyed by the generations to come.

New multi-specialty hospitals at districts: The Government has planned to open 34 multi-specialty hospitals in different districts. Out of these, work for 13 hospitals has been started, and work orders for 21 others have been issued.

Free medicines and unveiling of healthcare facilities: The Government has also started distribution of medicines at all rural healthcare centers for free. Treatment, pathological examinations, medicines, diet and arrangement of easy transportation to hospitals everything have been made available free of cost to all pregnant mothers and children up to one year of age in the state.

Fair price medicine shops: Across the state, 63 fair price medicine shops, where discount are given in the ranges from 48% to 72%, have been opened in PPP model. Till February 2014, as many as 52 lakh people have been benefited through this. Medicines worth Rs 213 crore have been sold in this time period, and a total discount of Rs 130 crore has been given to the patients. Government has opened 47 fair price diagnostic centers in PPP model.

Others Infrastructural developments: More than 10,000 beds have been added in Government hospitals. Number of sick new born care unit (SNCU) has been increased from 6 to 37, and 198 new sick new born stabilization units (SNSU) have been set up during the tenure of new Government. 7 critical units has been opened while another 30 will be opened in different districts. 7 new Health Districts have been established at Nandigram, Diamond Harbour, Basirhat, Jhargram, Asansol, Bishnupur and Rampurhat.

'Sisusathi Prokalpo': The Government has also started a scheme thanks to which children affected by congenital heart diseases can avail Free of cost surgery for children, at 3 private hospitals including SSKM.

Special emphasis on pediatric treatment: For the first time ever 31 nutrition rehabilitation centres have been set up under Government-run health care system for children affected by malnutrition. Human milk bank namely ‘Madhur Sneha’ has been opened at SSKM hospital for the first time in eastern India.

First cord blood bank: A cord blood bank has been established in Kolkata, the first of its kind in the eastern region. Stem cells will be collected from Cord Blood and will be preserved after delivery at the School of Tropical Medicine. Stem cells can come handy in treating different complicated diseases such as diabetes, kidney and liver dysfunction, paralysis and cancer.

Health-care services to remote areas: 36 mobile health-care units have been introduced for extending health care facilities in the remote corners of Jangalmahal, Sunderban and tea-gardens.

Remarkable progress in respect of a few health indexes: There has been 20% decrease in mortality rate of mothers during child-birth and institutional delivery has become 79%.