The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), state-run agricultural universities in West Bengal, and agricultural scientists are collaborating to develop a scientific agriculture roadmap for West Bengal. This roadmap will focus on region-specific crop planning considering agro-climatic conditions, soil characteristics, water availability, and local resources. The aim is to recommend suitable technologies and value-chain models to enhance agricultural productivity.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, after a high-level review meeting in Kolkata with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, revealed the plans for this scientific agriculture roadmap. The initiative also includes transforming rice research institutions into centers of excellence to position West Bengal as a research-driven model for crops like rice, potato, and maize. Additionally, farmers in West Bengal will be enrolled in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana on a larger scale to safeguard against crop losses due to natural disasters.
Efforts are underway to expand the reach of the Kisan Credit Card in West Bengal, as highlighted by Chouhan. Village-level camps in partnership with NABARD and banks will be organized to broaden KCC coverage, ensuring farmers have access to affordable institutional credit and reducing reliance on informal lenders. Various programs such as the National Mission on Natural Farming, PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, Digital Agritech, and nutrition enhancement schemes are expected to revolutionize West Bengal’s agricultural sector.
Under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, increased financial aid will be extended to women-led self-help groups in West Bengal. This support package includes Rs 245 crore in bank credit and Rs 50 crore under the Community Investment Fund. Rural women in the state are playing a crucial role in enhancing household economies through savings, credit, and micro-enterprises. The additional financial assistance aims to empower them further in production, processing, value addition, and marketing, thereby creating new livelihood opportunities and boosting rural incomes.
Chouhan also announced interim approval for one lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin in West Bengal and the sanctioning of Rs 12,064 crore for Rural Development and Employment Security under the VB-G RAM G framework.
