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WB Govt invites pvt sector to invest into agro-industries, farming machineries

Updated: Jul 29, 2016 04:54:33am
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WB Govt invites pvt sector to invest into agro-industries, farming machineries

New Delhi, July 29 (KNN) West Bengal Government has invited the private sector to invest into developing cold storages, cold chains, seed industry and factories to manufacture machineries essential for farming.

In a bid to make the State self sufficient in all aspects of the agriculture sector, the department’s minister Purnendu Basu welcomed the investment of private sector for infrastructure development.

 The Minister said that agriculture is the biggest industry. Thus, the State has to be self sufficient so that it doesn’t need to depend on any other states for a better quality yield. “But it is not possible by the state government on its own.

“Thus, we are inviting businessmen to invest to develop cold storages, cold chains, seed industry and factories to manufacture machineries essential for farming,” he said adding that there are no industries to manufacture machineries of the kind which were being used by farmers in West Bengal.

He emphasized that the state is number one in production of vegetables. Thus, storage capacity also needs to go up and it could be developed easily with private investment to set up cold chains.

At present there are 145 automated weather stations (AWS) in the state. There are scopes to set up more and it could be undertaken in Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

“Farmers who yield jute are mainly dependable on Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Why cannot we develop seeds for jute in West Bengal itself?” he raised the question. “I would request you all to start investing in the areas without losing any time,” said the Minister.

The Minister also stressed on the need for more Farmers Producers Organisation (FPOs) as it will help in better marketing of crops. At present FPOs directly sell their yields in the shops owned by the state government – Sufal Bangla.

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