Overview

• The government has kicked off a three-year programme to add 60,000 hectares of maize cultivation to address growing demand for animal, poultry and fish feed.
• Sector-wide modernisation measures include tissue-culture support for high-value crops, model nurseries, high-yield seeds, organic farming promotion and upgraded cold chains and post-harvest facilities.
• In FY 24-25, West Bengal saw the establishment of 24,213 new food-processing units, underscoring rapid growth in its processing industry.
• With women making up 70% of the agricultural workforce, the plan emphasises their empowerment as agri-entrepreneurs to drive inclusive rural development.
• Public-private partnerships and collaborations with educational institutions and farmer producer companies have been mobilised, and the state livestock corporation is already procuring maize from FPCs for feed production.