Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today expressed delight after three varieties of rice from the state ~ Gobindobhog, Tulaipanji and Kanakchur aromatic rice ~ received rave reviews and recognition from the United Nations. The state government’s community initiative scheme, Matir Srishti, has also earned international acclaim.
In a post in her X handle, Miss Banerjee said: “Proud to share that the United Nations has recognised our initiative yet again. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN has awarded an internationally valued certificate to us for our community initiatives under our innovative Matir Srishti programme, which we launched in 2020 in the dry western districts of our state.
“Now, this creative and multi-departmental concept has received UN recognition as a worthy community initiative in the category of preservation of natural heritage and biodiversity.”
Elaborating on the Matir Srishti programme, Ms Banerjee said: “Under the ‘Matir Srishti’ initiative, we have crafted a unique vision integrating land development, irrigation and panchayat strategies. The objective has been to transform barren, non-arable, dry, mono-crop lands into fertile and cultivable fields for growing multiple crops, including horticulture and vegetables.
“Additional irrigation facilities have been created through the excavation of ponds and development of other water sources. Lakhs of livelihood opportunities have been generated, and family incomes have increased manifold.”
She further said that the United Nations has also recognised West Bengal’s Gobindobhog, Tulaipanji and Kanakchur aromatic rice as part of the food and cultural heritage.
“I am sharing the certificates of recognition received from the Director-General of the FAO of the United Nations.
“UN-FAO recognition of these initiatives is a prestigious honour acknowledging globally recognised efforts to conserve natural heritage, biodiversity, and food and cultural heritage.
“We dedicate this recognition to our entire rural community, especially the farmers of Bengal.”