Newz Desk, Durgapur: The West Bengal government is set to collaborate with private players to develop dedicated mango, tomato and pineapple clusters across the state over the next three years as part of a major initiative to strengthen horticulture production, improve post-harvest management and enhance farmers’ incomes.
The clusters will be established under the National Horticulture Board (NHB) scheme for commercial horticulture development through production and post-harvest management of horticultural crops.
State Horticulture and Food Processing Minister Kalyan Chakraborti said mango clusters would be developed in Malda, Murshidabad and Nadia over the next two years. The project will also include the setting up of export promotion centres to facilitate better market access for growers.
“The private partners will be selected by the NHB. The mango clusters will promote good agricultural practices in collaboration with the ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture,” the minister said.
Following the selection of private partners, the projects will be jointly implemented by the state government and the NHB.
The state has also planned tomato and pineapple clusters across several districts. Tomato clusters will be developed in Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Siliguri and Uttar Dinajpur, with pineapple cultivated as an additional crop. Similarly, pineapple clusters are planned in East Midnapore, West Midnapore, North 24 Parganas and Howrah, where tomato will be promoted as an additional crop to diversify production and strengthen the horticulture value chain.
Apart from fruit and vegetable cultivation, the state government is preparing to launch floriculture development projects in East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Nadia, North 24 Parganas and Howrah under central and state government schemes.
“Our focus is on NHB-accredited nurseries. We are planning to establish cold chain infrastructure and strengthen market linkages for cut flowers,” Chakraborti said.
The government also plans to expand fruit and vegetable cultivation in Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia, West Midnapore, Jhargram and Paschim Bardhaman by improving tribal farmers’ access to the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) and financial assistance under the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme.
Officials believe the cluster-based approach will help improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, promote exports and create stronger market linkages, while encouraging private investment in Bengal’s rapidly growing horticulture sector.
