Bengal's participatory farming concept yet to gain pace

Alternate concept of contract farming in West Bengal has not evoked much response, a state minister said today.
"So far three projects under participatory farming have been approved in the state and all of them are for export, but no major brand or company has come forward yet," state Food Processing Industries and Horticulture minister Abdur Razzak Molla said on the sidelines of a BNCCI organised interaction.
West Bengal has introduced the concept of participatory farming recently where more rights vest with the farmers who own the land than contract farming agreements, officials said.
To boost the farm sector, the state government has amended the Agriculture Produce Marketing Act which enables any company to trade in agriculture produce by securing a single licence.

Previously, one had to secure licenses separately from each of the state regulated markets. There are some 300 regulated markets in the state.
To increase farm income, the state government has been trying to grow unseasonal vegetables and fruits that are usually imported from other states.

Molla said efforts are been made to produce seeds in the state rather than depending on imports from other states.
The minister said he has written to the Union Aviation Ministry to provide proper connectivity for flower exports from the state.
"There is a lot of scope, but due to lack of connectivity from Kolkata to Amsterdam we are unable to export rose and rajnigandha. Now, a small quantity is exported via Bangalore," Molla said.