December 26, 2013
Bengal invites private investment to set up Krishak Bazars
In near future, West Bengal Government will allow private investment for setting up Brihat Krishi Bazars. Corporate sectors with turnover less than Rs 150 crore are eligible to invest in this agricultural marketing project in the state. These markets, to be formed in the PPP mode, will include godowns, cold storage units, rice and oil mills and other such required units under one roof.
Initiatives have been taken to set up 15-20 Brihat Krishi Bazars in districts like Bardhaman, Howrah, Purba Medinipur, Hooghly, Birbhum and in North Bengal. The Brihat Krishi Bazar, spread over 150 bigha, will have storage facilities and processing units to use surplus produce. For instance, if there is a bumper crop of tomato or mango, the excess can be used to make sauces, jams or pickles, or textiles from jute. These ancillary units will create employment and also fetch revenue for the state.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee planned to set up a Brihat Krishi Bazar in every district. It will be the perfect solution because these new-age markets won't just be collection centres. With private participation, they will act as hubs for the mega marketing network that will be connected to every block, where the government plans to set up Krishi Bazars.
