Centre should procure more from West Bengal to benefit farmers, says Mamata's adviser

Land usage is very high in West Bengal and the state contributes to around 5% of global rice production, higher than the US, Latin America and Africa taken together. In a surplus situation like this, it is important to look at commercially gainful disposal methods of rice, so as to maximise the benefits for paddy growers, said P K Majumdar, advisor to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on agriculture & allied sector at Bengal Rice Conclave 2019 organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.

Majumdar said that policy wise West Bengal remains adept in maximizing welfare for farmers, through crop diversification, Bangla Shashya Bima Yojana (fully borne by the state government), Bangla Sech Yojana for micro irrigation practices. "However, the central procurement system should procure more from the state through Food Corporation of India for farmers to get the optimum benefit.

West Bengal encourages crop diversification i.e. the cultivation of crops other than paddy such as oilseeds, pulses, maize etc. in those lands which are less conducive to rice production to ultimately cater to the greater good of the farmers’ income improvement and maximizing land use, the advisor added.


Varieties of crops that are tolerant to arsenic, salinity of soil need to be cultivated to cater to the increased demand, said Dr. D. D. Patra, Vice Chancellor, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalayawho was also present at the conclave.

Adoption of good agricultural practices produce to increase the productivity of hybrid rice, reduce the mismatch between planning and production of rice is the need of the hour.

Advent of rain to set in South Bengal within 25^th July, 2019 should facilitate paddy production. Nevertheless, state’s water preservation and irrigation practices has already been combating the rainfall shortage in 2019, said Mr Majumdar.