
West Bengal to expand maize cultivation by 60,000 hectares to meet rising feed demand
'Area under maize cultivation will be expanded by 60,000 hectares over the next three years to meet the growing demand for animal feed, poultry feed, and fish feed in the state. Through cooperation between the government, private sector, educational institutions, and civil society, we can leverage each other's strengths and collectively address the challenges ahead. Women constitute 70% of the workforce engaged in agriculture, and encouraging women as agricultural entrepreneurs is a key step towards women's empowerment," he added.
Highlighting West Bengal's potential in the sector, Smaraki Mahapatra, Secretary, Department of Food Processing Industries and Horticulture said, 'West Bengal is a top producer in many vegetables and fruits, producing about 163 lakh MT of vegetables while local consumption is about 95 lakh MT. Fruit production is about 40 lakh MT and consumption is about 30-35 lakh MT. The surpluses can be exported to other states and countries with investments in cold chain logistics and export development. The government is providing extensive support to tissue culture for banana, pineapple, blueberry and ginger, among others.'
'We are the only state which has the Himalayas and a coast, making it ideal for fruit and vegetable production. The government is working hard to support the sectors growth. There is a lot of scope for investment in value addition between the farm and the market. The state has a rich history of traditional medicinal plants and has huge potential for contribution in Ayurvedic treatments. In FY 24-25, 24,213 units in the food processing sector were set up in the state, which is not a small number. A partnership between the government, FPO's, farmers and entrepreneurs is needed to generate interest and uplift the sector to its potential,' she added.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
New luxury – it's protein, not perignon
I'm impressed, Mr Bond, you have your tulsi-coconut kefir stirred, not shaken At the Alpina Hotel, Gstaad, breakfast is a quiet masterclass in modern luxury. You will find avocado toast, fresh matcha, protein shakes in branded shakers, and a neat row of protein bars beside the granola. Breakfast spread at The Alpina Gstaad There is no signage that screams 'wellness.' There is no guilt-laced menu about clean eating. Just thoughtful options that assume you might want to feel sharp at 10 am, not sluggish. It is a detail most hotels would consider minor. Yet, it signals a shift many in the hospitality industry are still missing. The younger premium guest, whether flying business class or checking into a suite, is no longer impressed by how much alcohol you offer. In fact, the more a property leans on alcohol as its main expression of luxury, the more outdated it tends to feel. We are not talking about teetotalers. Most people I know still drink. But they drink differently. They drink with intention, not habit. And during travel, especially work travel, they prefer clarity over cocktails. This is not a temporary trend. It is a realignment of values. Health has become the new indulgence. Performance has replaced decadence. During travel, especially work travel, younger premium guests prefer clarity over cocktails Yet, most lounges, flights, and hotel buffets are designed as if the year is still 2010. The lounge prioritizes liquor variety, but has no functional beverages. The minibar stocks vodka and cola, but nothing for hydration or recovery. The breakfast buffet offers pastries, juice, and the occasional egg for the hard-boiled, as though protein were an optional preference rather than a daily need. Some brands are beginning to shift. Emirates has introduced turmeric lattes on select routes. Virgin's Clubhouse lounges feature kombucha and wellness shots. At Alpina, presence of high-protein, low-sugar, thoughtfully sourced items is not an experiment. It is integrated into the brand's sense of self. What stands out is not just what they serve, but how they serve it. These offerings are not framed as compromises. They are part of the story. A protein shake at breakfast is not a substitute for a real dish. It is the dish. A protein bar is not a silent corner option. It sits proudly next to the croissants. That is how you reset the guest's expectations without needing to make a speech. Hotels and airlines in India have a clear opportunity to learn from this. It does not require a complete overhaul. It requires a rebalancing. Replace one fruit juice option with a cold-pressed seasonal blend. Add a high-quality plant protein drink to the minibar. Include a hydration booster or a small Ayurvedic tonic with a simple card explaining its benefit. None of this is difficult. It only requires paying attention to what the guest already wants. Include a hydration booster or a small Ayurvedic tonic with a simple card explaining its benefit. In fact, India is uniquely positioned to lead this shift. We have a rich tradition of functional ingredients, from amla to ashwagandha. We have small brands already doing great work: Auric, Kapiva, Blue Tribe, Yoga Bar. These names are modern, credible, and native. Today, there's a significant move towards embracing a more intentional approach to wellness, paving the way for better-for-you ingredients like protein, even in the most indulgent options. Yet, hospitality menus often reach for imported syrups and generic mocktails instead. Would hotels start treating beverage selection like design — intentional, cultural, expressive? There is no reason why a wellness-forward beverage cannot be the most interesting thing a guest consumes. People are far more likely to remember a tulsi-coconut kefir than their sixth mimosa. People are far more likely to remember a tulsi-coconut kefir than their sixth mimosa This is also about commercial sense. These options often cost less than stocking top-shelf liquor. But they leave a far stronger impression. They earn the post, the compliment, the memory. They mark the property as thoughtful, not just expensive. The Alpina makes cocktail-shaking a dance recital. Can hotels now do this with protein shakes? None of this means removing alcohol entirely. Alcohol can stay. But it can no longer be the default symbol of luxury. The guest is not looking to be numbed. They are looking to be restored. And when a brand reflects that back to them — when the minibar, the lounge, and the breakfast table all quietly say, 'We see how you live' — that creates affinity. Not just satisfaction, but alignment. Luxury today is not about how much you can pour. It is about how well you understand the person you're pouring for. And if you're still leading with whisky and juice, you're not just behind the curve — you're off the map. No longer just bon appétit, but also bonne santé! Disclaimer: Nikunj Biyani has recently launched his own protein-focused company. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.


News18
4 days ago
- News18
India to attract USD 100 bn in FDI from EFTA countries: Comm Min Goyal
Mumbai, Jul 19 (PTI) India remains a key destination for overseas investments and is likely to attract USD 100 billion in foreign direct investments (FDIs) from the four-nation European bloc EFTA, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Speaking at an Assocham Managing Committee meeting here, Goyal also emphasised the need to stay competitive. Earlier, he said the free trade agreement between India and the EFTA will be implemented from October 1. The two sides signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) on March 10, 2024. At a separate event in the financial capital, Goyal also inaugurated the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) Advanced Cyber Skill Centre at CII Model Career Centre in the western suburb Kandivali. 'My calculation, or my gut sense, is that USD 100 billion FDI, along with Indian promoter equity, when they come into your companies, it will catalyse to at least USD 500 billion investment in India into brownfield or greenfield," said the minister at the Assocham event. The minister said the FDI commitment would also create a million direct jobs in the coming years, and help technology and innovation through Swiss SMEs entering Indian markets. He asked Assocham members to focus on scale and quality to remain competitive and take advantage of these FTAs. Citing a game-changing initiative, Goyal said that the Cabinet has sanctioned Rs 1 lakh crore towards an innovation fund to drive R&D in the country. 'It can be given out to all of you or any company willing to do it in research and development in the form of a grant, in the form of a low-cost loan, interest-free loan, or term loan," he said. Recognising the key role of MSMEs, the minister stressed the need for enabling these enterprises with access to global markets, modern technology, and affordable capital. With 2.4 million STEM graduates annually, including 43 per cent women, India is well-positioned to scale up its manufacturing and innovation capabilities. Recognising India's potential as a global capability hub, he said the country can emerge as a high-quality destination for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), as India now offers comparable or superior talent at a fifth of global costs, lower-than-expected real estate and energy costs, and a compelling alternative to offshore operations amid declining H1B dependency. On the social security pact with the UK, Goyal said India has successfully negotiated a social security agreement with the UK, enabling Indian professionals on short-term UK work visas (up to 3 years) to contribute to their Indian EPF accounts rather than losing 25 per cent of their overseas earnings in UK social security contributions. On the government's Bharat Mart initiative, the minister said there are plans to replicate a similar model for Indian MSMEs, particularly leveraging Mumbai's strategic and financial advantage, with government support and incentives promised. On the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which mandates supply chain traceability for seven commodities like coffee, wood, and furniture, among others, requiring detailed farmer and production data to be uploaded, the minister acknowledged this regulation as a non-tariff barrier. He urged Indian industries to proactively engage and negotiate such barriers and emphasised that quality compliance, not just quantity, must be a national priority. The centre at Kandivli is equipped with advanced training infrastructure and facilities to conduct in-depth training in cybersecurity to create industry-ready talent. PTI IAS BAL BAL First Published: July 19, 2025, 21:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


The Print
7 days ago
- The Print
Bengal focuses on food processing, horticulture to boost investment
'The state's food processing sector has witnessed significant growth and the government is committed to attracting more investments in this sector,' Roy said. Speaking at an Assocham-organised conclave, Food Processing Industries and Horticulture Minister Arup Roy said the state is focusing on modernising horticulture with advanced planting materials, high-yielding seeds, model nurseries, organic farming, post-harvest management, cold chain infrastructure, and promoting protected cultivation. Kolkata, Jul 15 (PTI) West Bengal is ramping up efforts to boost its food processing and horticulture sectors through a series of initiatives aimed at attracting investment and modernising farming practices, a state minister said on Tuesday. He added that the area under maize cultivation will be expanded by 60,000 hectares over the next three years to meet rising demand for animal, poultry and fish feed. Roy also highlighted the importance of empowering women in agriculture, noting that they make up 70 per cent of the sector's workforce in the state. Highlighting West Bengal's potential, Smaraki Mahapatra, department secretary, said the state produces about 163 lakh tonnes of vegetables and 40 lakh tonnes of fruits annually, with significant surpluses that can be tapped for exports through investments in cold chains and logistics. Mahapatra said that the government is supporting tissue culture for crops such as banana, pineapple, blueberry and ginger and sees strong investment opportunities in value addition and post-harvest infrastructure. 'In FY25, 24,213 units in the food processing sector were set up in the state. A partnership between government, farmers, FPOs and entrepreneurs is key to unlocking the sector's full potential,' the officer said. West Bengal's unique geography, stretching from the Himalayas to the coast, makes it ideal for diverse agricultural activities, including the cultivation of medicinal plants with potential in Ayurvedic treatments, Mahapatra added. PTI BSM NN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.