In a major policy push to strengthen the feed base for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture, the West Bengal government has announced plans to expand maize cultivation by 60,000 hectares over the next three years. 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. The expansion is expected to help stabilize feed input costs, improve self-sufficiency, and reduce dependence on interstate sourcing.
The announcement was made by Arup Roy, Minister for Food Processing Industries and Horticulture, at the Agri, Livestock and Food Processing Growth Meet hosted by ASSOCHAM. Roy also highlighted that 70% of WesBengal’s agricultural workforce comprises women and called for stronger encouragement of women agricultural entrepreneurs, particularly in allied sectors such as dairy and food processing.
Presentation -Dibyabharati Nayak