Farmers of West Bengal need to transform themselves into entrepreneurs but the biggest problem for them to don the new hat is availability of capital and supply, speakers at a conclave said here on Monday.
Farming is no more growing crops these days but it also involves marketing of agri-products and exporting them, Industry, Commerce & Enterprise Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said.
With the changing circumstances, farmers are no more only growers but they need to transform themselves into entrepreneurs and exporters, Chopra said while addressing the "Rural Connect Conclave 2018" organised by Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He also stressed on connectivity, interlinking and knowledge sharing to bring all the stakeholders on a common platform.
"The biggest problem for small farmers to transform themselves into an entrepreneur is capital and supply. Especially in Bengal, farmers own small farms so producing any crop, vegetable or any other item in a massive scale is an impossible task," Chopra said.
The government is taking initiative to form "farmers' producers' organizations" (FPOs) where they will follow cooperative model of production and selling, he said.
FPO model of farming and selling is new and it is gaining popularity among farmers as the concept will free middle-men from the chain and enable them to find export market, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, state's Cooperation Minister Arup Roy said there is 33,000 cooperative societies in rural Bengal and 6,000 Agri-cooperative societies.
The state government has decided to provide Rs 8,000 crore farming loans, he said.
Stating that the government's focus is to reduce poverty, the minister advised students not to just get a degree but work towards opportunities available in the state by making cooperatives and generate employment for others.
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) plays an important role for the development of rural and farming economy with the cooperation of all stake holders, NABARD Chief General Manager Subrata Mondal said.
The NABARD is funding the state government for funding rural projects. It also helped develop 20,000 km of rural roads in West Bengal, besides construction of bridges, he said.
Raj Ganguly of World Bank said farmers can use mobile technology to market their produce.
"Technology has to be taken to the villages to take advantage of untapped markets. Agriculture should develop into agri business," he said.
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