Research scholars to help State Govt increase foodgrain productivity

The Bangla Government has roped in research scholars from various agricultural universities in the State to help increase productivity of rice and other foodgrains.

The research wing of the State Agriculture Department has tied up with two State-owned agricultural universities – Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya and Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya – to carry out the research work.

As part of the collaboration, officials of the department will hold meetings with the researchers involved at regular intervals to determine future steps that need to be taken to increase productivity.

The Agricultural Department is also preparing a road map to ensure that the suggested steps coming out of the collaboration are followed through.

One of the main objectives of the initiative is to impart expertise to farmers on how to sow seeds in a more scientific way.

According to the Agriculture Department, overall paddy cultivation has increased in the last couple of years due to the introduction of various social schemes for the farmers and of advanced and sturdier varieties of seeds, and of cultivation of rarer varieties like tulaipanji, gobindabhog and kalonunia over larger areas.

The State Government has also introduced vocational training courses in different aspects of agriculture, such as soil testing and other things to widen the options of job-oriented skill development programmes.

As a result of these, compared to financial year 2010-11, the income of farmers has increased by three times. The State has also won the national-level award, Krishi Karman for five consecutive years.

Source: Millennium Post

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Bengal Govt’s efforts turning Paschimanchal into an alphonso hub

The western districts of Bengal – together called Paschimanchal – are gradually turning into a hub for the delicious mango, alphonso.

Alphonso has a big export market too. In this sense, a region of Bengal turning into an alphonso hub is a big boon for the State. The Paschimanchal Unnayan Affairs Department is leading this effort.

Till now, Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra was the sole hub of the alphonso. Soon, Bankura will turn into another major hub, and Purulia and Jhargram too.

Three thousand saplings of alphonso were planted in three orchards in Khatra subdivision of Bankura district last year. The first commercial harvest has been done this year. Five thousand saplings were planted in Purulia and Jhargram districts.

The mangoes from Bankura have been analysed at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya and have been found to be very similar in all aspects to the famous alphonsos of Maharashtra.

Source: Millennium Post