March 4, 2014
Rice production in Bengal sees huge growth, thanks to Trinamool Govt policies
Rice production in West Bengal (WB) can reach 173 lakh MT mark by 2017-18 from the current level of about 148 lakh MT through increased usage of high yielding varieties, improving soil drainage, spreading rice-fish culture and taking other such measures, apex industry body ASSOCHAM said on Monday.
After the Trinamool Government came to power, numerous steps were taken by it in every aspect. Irrigation measures have been restructured so as to serve the barren areas which received little rainfall. Seed banks have been formed by the Agriculture Dept. so that the farmers may get different varieties of seeds at a fair price.
Increasing the crop intensity by utilizing kharif rice fallows for cultivation of rabi pulses and oil seeds, diversification of upland rice areas that are less productive to suitable crops like pulses, oil-seeds and millets together with development of on-farm irrigation resources through exploitation of abundant ground water potential are certain significant steps required to increase cropping intensity and crop productivity in West Bengal, according to a study titled, “Towards Second Green Revolution in Eastern India: A Road Map,” conducted by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
West Bengal spearheads the eastern India in paddy production to the tune of about 150 lakh MT followed by eastern UP (140 lakh MT), Odisha (70 lakh MT), Bihar (68 lakh MT), Chhattisgarh (63 lakh MT), Assam (47 lakh MT) and Jharkhand (34 lakh MT).
Market linkages is yet another important factor highlighted in the ASSOCHAM study as increased production should be supported by remunerative price to the farmers, accompanied by suitable mechanism for procurement in identified eastern states. The Government has already set up Kisan Mandis and similar farmer markets will be coming up in each of the 341 blocks in the state. 16,000 km of village roads are also under construction.
