WB CM Ms Mamata Banerjee attended the ‘West Bengal Cold Storage Association’s Golden Jubilee Celebration’at Netaji Indoor Stadium today as Chief Guest. In her speech, while appreciating the initiatives taken by the Association towards helping in agricultural growth of the State, she stressed on the importance of being self reliant.
The Chief Minister highlighted that Bengal was among the frontrunners in horticulture and the State accounted for 16% of India’s vegetable production. She stressed upon self-reliance in terms of seed production, fisheries and egg production.
Highlights of her speech:
- We have an old relationship. You stood by us during potato crisis. We have always assisted you.
- We have to increase our capacity for seed production. We spend Rs 1500 crore for seed procurement.
- We must utilise the opportunities we have. We have a huge market for eggs. There is a lot of scope in poultry and fisheries.
- Like you keep potatoes in cold storage, you should build capacity for fishes also.
- We are setting up cold storages in all blocks. We are setting up warehouses and Kisan Mandis under PPP.
- Land for Kisan Mandis and cold storages have been identified.
- We conduct meetings of the core committee for prices every fortnight.
- It is easy to criticize. We believe in working for the benefit of grassroots.
- The gap between demand and supply must be bridged.
- 16% of the total vegetable production in India is from Bengal. We won Krishi Karman Award for 3 consecutive years.
- We are against forcible acquisition of land. Agriculture is our pride. Industry is our future.
- Why should West Bengal import vegetables from other States, even fish is imported. We have to be self-sufficient.
- We started onion cultivation in dry areas of Bankura. We have got results. We are providing technical assistance to farmers.
- We are among the frontrunners in horticulture in India.
- Centre is not releasing funds for food procurement. They are not giving us funds for 100 Days’ Work.
- Fertilizer prices are skyrocketing, Farmers are facing difficult times. We must stand beside them.
- If we work together, there is big opportunity for big business. We have a PPP policy.
