1. 1 Agriculture Scenario in West Bengal Review & Future Prospects Pusa, New Delhi, 6 th April, 2015

2. Overview (1) With an area of 88752 sq. km. ( 2.7% of total area) West Bengal supports 8% of the nation’s population and has a population density of 1029/sq. km. Predominantly an agrarian State with nearly 70% of the population living in rural areas. The State is divided into six agro-climatic zones :- – Hilly – Terai, – Gangetic Alluvial – Vindhya Alluvial, – Red & Laterite, and – Coastal

3. Overview (2) 71.23 lakh agricultural holdings. 96% held by Small and Marginal Farmers Average size of land holding is only 0.77 ha. Total cultivable area is 56.73 Lha. Net Sown area is 52.05 Lha (92%) Cropping Intensity is 184% Estimated production of Rice (3 rd advanced estimate) during 2014-15 is 154.76 lakh MT against total requirement of 146.15 lakh MT Estimated production of Foodgrains (3 rd advanced estimate) during 2014-15 is 173.07 lakh MT against total requirement of 181.39 lakh MT.

4. Highlights (1)  First position in Rice production  First position in Vegetables production  Second position in Potato Production  Increase in Area and Production of Pulses, Oilseeds and Maize maintaining surplus in production of Rice  Production of Certified Potato Seed Tuber  1.52 Lha additional Minor Irrigation potential created since 2011-12

5. Highlights (2)  Universalisation of KCC: 36.56 Lakh KCC issued between 2009-10 and 2013-14 involving a credit of Rs. 70717 Crores.  4.34 Lakh Soil Health Cards (SHCs) distributed since 2007  To ensure better marketing infrastructure, 176 Krishak Bazars (kisan mandi) are being constructed in rural areas. 78 already complete.  APMC Act has been amended to allow Farmers’ Markets, Direct Marketing and Private Markets.  34 multipurpose cold storages are being set up across the State

6. Major Challenges Gap between production & requirement of pulses, oilseed and foodgrains. Increasing imbalance in use of chemical fertilizers leading to deterioration of soil health Inadequate farm mechanization Deficit in supply of Breeder Seeds and inadequate availability of suitable improved varieties Unorganized marketing structure. Need for a proper strategy for utilization of surplus production of rice, potato etc.

7. Major Thrust Areas in West Bengal  Crop Diversification  Soil Health Management.  Self sufficiency in quality seed production  Popularization of Farm Mechanization.  Augmentation of irrigation facilities and improving water use efficiency.  Post-harvest marketing support.

8. Crop Diversification Diversification of area under summer rice towards pulses, oilseed & maize (2.78 lakh ha has been diversified since 2008-09) Bringing the rain-fed rice-fallow land having low cropping intensity in 4 districts of Red & Laterite Region and 4 Sub-Himalayan districts under pulses, oilseeds and coarse cereals (especially maize) Diversion of surplus area of Kharif Paddy towards ethnic aromatic rice & slender grain HYVs Expansion of area under Hybrid Paddy

9.  Creation of additional Soil Testing Lab (STL), Mobile STL, Fertiliser Quality Control Lab, and Biofertiliser Quality Control Lab  Strengthening of Soil Test Based Fertilizer Recommendation System (STFRS)  Introduction of GIS based Farmer friendly Smart Soil Health Card Management System.  Capacity building of the farmers, STL staffs/Extension functionaries regarding SHM  Setting up of Bio-fertiliser production units in PPP mode  Setting up of agro-waste compost production units & promotion of organic farming Soil Health Management (SHM)

10. Self-Sufficiency in Quality Seed Production Augmentation of Breeder seed production of major crops in the State Enhancement of Breeder seed allocation of different crops specially Potato & Paddy by GOI to the State Infrastructural development of Govt. Farms for quality seed production Strengthening State Seed Certification & Testing infrastructure Creation of Infrastructure for Seed Processing and Storage Relaxation of Age limit beyond 10 years for popular HYV paddy varieties viz. IET-4786, MTU-1010 till availability of new substitutes

11. Popularizing Farm Mechanization  Introduction of modern cost effective farm equipment through demonstration of machines among farmers  Establishment of Custom Hiring Centres  Establishment of Training-cum-Demonstration Centre at each district for capacity building  Establishment of Repair and Maintenance Centres by Agri Graduate/local youth  Incentivising Local Manufacturers for modernization of plant and machinery of existing/new units  Financial assistance to small and marginal farmers for purchase/hiring of farm equipment

12. Powering Irrigation Facilities Provision of Pump sets (upto 5 HP) at subsidized rate for utilization of ground water Conversion from fossil fuel operated pump sets to electricity operated pumps Extension of dedicated feeder line for electrification of pump sets & other agricultural installations Emphasis on storage of run off water through construction/ re-excavation of Water Harvesting Structure/Water Body/ Check Dam etc. Efficient & prudent use of water including drip irrigation

13. Post Harvest Marketing Support Setting up of Brihat Krishak Bazars (Terminal Markets) Operationalizing the Krishak Bazars being constructed at block level. Establishment of Multipurpose Cold Storages Supporting FPOs in direct marketing of their produce thereby eliminating middlemen, and putting more money into the hands of producers Value addition at Farm Family level (by setting up Rice Parboiling and Processing units; manually operated grain drier, improved low-cost grain storage structure) Facilitating Export of different Rice varieties including aromatic short grain ethnic rice varieties & potato

14. Thank You For Your Kind Attention!