The food processing sector has witnessed significant growth in West Bengal, but the state is yet to realise its optimal capacity in harnessing its potential, felt experts and government representatives at the Agri, Livestock and Food Processing Growth Meet on Tuesday.
The state government has taken several initiatives to promote the sector and attract investment. Horticulture in the state is being modernised using advanced planting materials, high-yielding seed production with the development of cold chain infrastructure, rainwater harvesting in critical regions and technology development,” said Arup Roy, food processing industries and horticulture department minster.
“Area under maize cultivation will be expanded by 60,000 hectares over the next three years to meet the growing demand for animal, poultry, and fish feed in the state. We want to be self-sufficient in this. Through cooperation between the government, private sector, educational institutions, and civil society, we can leverage each other’s strengths and collectively address the challenges ahead. Women constitute 70 per cent of the workforce engaged in agriculture, encouraging women as agricultural entrepreneurs is a key step towards women’s empowerment,” added the minister at the event, organised by ASSOCHAM.
Rajarshi Banerji, president Seafood Exporters Association of India, pointed out that West Bengal has natural advantage in terms of fisheries. “We have around four lakh hectares of brackish water, of which we have utilised only 80,000 hectares and produce 80,000 tonnes of farm trends,” said Mr Banerji.
Southern state Andhra Pradesh has 1.56 hectares of brackish water, of which they have utilised around 1.45 hectares and produce 6L tonnes of farm trends.
“Out of India’s total export of marine basket of $ 7.7 billion, West Bengal’s share is less than $1 billion. This shows that we have not been able to utilise our potential to the fullest.
Sea food export out of Bengal is 7,000-8,000 crore. “If the state can harness its resources well, in 7-8 years time, we can achieve Rs 18-20,000 crore worth of exports,” added Mr Banerji.
Experts said that aqua culture in Bengal needed to be treated on par with agriculture to see progress in the sector.
The minister also said that West Bengal has been growing foreign fruits like kiwi and avocado in north Bengal and trying to increase production.