Shivraj Chouhan to Review Farm, Rural Schemes in Bengal
Union Minister to hold high-level talks with State leadership, interact with jute farmers and Self-Help Groups
GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 13th July: Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has begun a two-day visit to West Bengal to review key agriculture and rural development programmes and hold discussions with the State leadership on strengthening cooperation in the sector.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, the visit includes high-level consultations on flagship schemes related to farmers’ welfare, rural infrastructure, housing, employment and agricultural growth.
On July 14, Chouhan will chair a review meeting in Kolkata with senior State and Central government officials. The discussions will cover the implementation of major schemes, including PM-KISAN, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations, Viksit Bharat–G RAM G, rural roads, housing initiatives and Panchayati Raj funding.
Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, the Ministry of Rural Development and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will participate in the meeting.
As part of the visit, the Union Minister will also tour the ICAR–Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres (CRIJAF) at Barrackpore, where he will interact directly with jute farmers and women from Self-Help Groups.
The interactions will focus on challenges faced by jute cultivators, including retting techniques, water availability, pest and disease management, production costs and market prices. Discussions will also explore measures to improve farmers’ income through greater participation in the jute value chain.
Scientists at ICAR-CRIJAF will showcase improved jute varieties, modern retting methods, water conservation practices and technologies aimed at simplifying processing and marketing. Women Self-Help Groups will be introduced to opportunities in jute-based value-added products to promote rural entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.
The Ministry said the visit reflects the Centre’s continued emphasis on strengthening agriculture and rural development through close engagement with States and direct interaction with farmers and rural communities.
