The Horticulture Department is organizing a three-day ‘Food Fruit Fest’ at the Netaji Indoor Stadium from August 9

Kolkata: The Department of Food Processing Industries and Horticulture (FPI&H) is organising a three-day fest to highlight the growth and potential of processed food products in the state at the Netaji Indoor Stadium from August 9 to 11.

“The state government has helped farmers improve their lives in all aspects. We have introduced policies and strategies to improve their lives. I expect that we will become the major producer of other crops besides rice and potato,” said Arup Roy, Minister of State for FPI&H, while addressing the ‘Bengal Rice Conclave 2024’ organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

The ‘Food Fruit Fest’ will have stalls from all districts. There will be farmers and entrepreneurs who have benefited from various departmental programmes.

“We produce various types of rice. Today, Bengal produces many quality products. In 2011, Gobinda Bhog and Tulaipanji rice varieties were famous in Burdwan and North Bengal respectively. At that time, we were not allowed to export rice initially, but eventually we got access and permission to export to other countries,” Roy added.

Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, the state’s agriculture minister, said his department’s research centres are working to promote the agriculture sector, including developing rice with lower sugar content. “We are also exploring alternative crop options, such as millet production,” he said.