'Average farm income in Bengal has almost doubled'

The average income of a farmer's family in West Bengal has almost doubled due to a slew of measures initiated by the state government, an official said today.
The state also leads in terms of farm mechanisation growth, which stands at 50 per cent -- the highest in the country, added Pradip Mazumdar, West Bengal Chief Minister's Adviser on Agriculture.
"The development of the farm sector should form the basis of human development index and that is exactly what the West Bengal Government has been following," he said.
Agriculture and industry should complement each other to accentuate growth of economy and foster people's prosperity, he said at the inauguration of the third Krishi Unnayan Mela here.

The mela was organised by the CII in association with the state's Department of Agriculture.
State Agriculture Secretary Sanjeev Chopra echoed the view, saying, "There is absolutely no competition between agriculture and industry."
Chopra recalled how the fabled Green Revolution in India not only catapulted Punjab as the country's front-ranking state and made it a symbol of prosperity, but also gave the entire country much needed self-sufficiency in food.
"The role of CII to organise an agri fair of such a scale is an eloquent illustration of the importance it attaches to agriculture," Chopra said.